 In the 2016 season, the Panthers regressed on their 15–1 record from 2015, posting a 6–10 record and a last-place finish in the NFC South, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012, and losing the division title to the second-seeded Falcons, who went on to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LI.In 2017, the Panthers finished with an 11–5 record and a #5 seed.However, they lost to the New Orleans Saints 31–26 in the Wild Card Round, their first loss in that round in franchise history.