 the team tried to improve on their 11–5 record and return to (at least) the NFC Championship Game like they did in 2005, however they failed to do so and ended up going 8–8, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004.Given the ups and downs of the 2005 season, the Panthers stirred up the "Super Bowl" chant once again.Despite losing many key players such as LB Will Witherspoon, DT Brentson Buckner, CB Ricky Manning Jr., C Jeff Mitchell, and RB Stephen Davis, they made leaps and bounds in the post-season.