GarthMcGrath

IF the league purposely skews games via referees and IF the league wants viewership maximized the logical plan would be to go easy on Panthers this week so we have drama in Week 18 then go easy on TB in the final game to get them in the playoffs.

Yeah the first one is more of a coincidental thing, I do not think there is any correlation there but it just sounds good!

1.) Panthers have been alternating wins and losses. Which means we are gonna win against Tampa twice and make the playoffs. 2.) No new injuries coming out of last night that I am aware of. We are very healthy compared to other teams and if we get Hunt back that would be amazing. 3.) Maybe that loss ticked them off enough to take it seriously and play disciplined. Put in the extra time because you are running out! 4.) We cannot afford to let up through the remainder of the year unless we win the next two and Tampa loses to MIA. I did not like idea of people resting. Just look what happened after the bye. 5.) Even if we do not make it to the dance, the guys are getting playoff experience right now. If we are close but just miss it, they can pack that feeling up and into next season. Maybe we can continue to retain critical pieces at an affordable rate if they want to run it back. 6.) We are set up better as far as salary cap/dead money next year compared to the last several years. Tillis and Morgan will get to play some. 7.) ATL is unsettled at QB position and will have a new coach. TB may be at end of window. NO honestly seems like biggest problem to me but hopefully the salary cap situation there will continue to hamstring them. 8.) Our rookie class looked really good, should see a lot of production from them in Year 2. Year 3 of Morgan/Tillis should see us be able to fill the remaining holes. Next year is really the year we would be on schedule to do something.

So many calls against us and Atlanta Thursday….

Defense is doing fine if they did not have questionable penalties they would be doing amazing. Offense is the side that needs to prove something today. So far we have been doing it, gotta keep it going!

Time for our D to get a turnover and start the beatdown

I have not been this excited to see a game in years. Probably the game against TB in 2022 was the closest but this one feels different! Maybe because it isn’t like we are backing in to a spot. It is like I had forgotten what die-hard fan excitement feels like but did not even realize it. I would always watch and have a degree of looking forward to game starting, even though it would fade during the game, and winning was cool but did not matter a whole lot in grand scheme. NOW I remember how fun football can be when your team is actually in the mix and has something to play for. Some weeks it was almost a chore to watch but now I cannot wait until that game kicks off tomorrow afternoon. We have waited a LONG time for this. Keep pounding!

That is true, it was very concerning how easy the Rams made it look, but I feel like they were picking on our very thin secondary. Should be a better showing if we get to play them again. And yes we are rush first for sure, but if Bryce doesn’t throw the ball at all downfield we are being too conservative and will not make it past the first round. Our running is our bread and butter but if you can activate the good Bryce more consistently and he can throw the clutch shots, then that is the balance I am talking about. Not 50/50, more 65/35. Seems like Canales was going 80/20 in either direction there for a few weeks. I just hope Bryce builds more confidence and then we will be able to hang with anyone.

We were very banged up going into that Rams game. Our second best player (Horn), our best safety, and both starting ILBs were out. I feel like our defense has really been impressive considering a year ago. If our offense learns how to be balanced like they were against the Rams, we can honestly beat anyone. Those losses to the Saints and 49ers may have been what we needed to figure out that when we depend too much on either running exclusively or passing exclusively that we are no good. That Rams game showed what we can do when we are in sync offensively and it was so much fun to watch. If that offense shows up this week then go ahead and cancel your plans the second weekend in January as you will have a game to watch.

The mission is clear: 1. Beat the Saints and Seattle is irrelevant. 2. Two tries to beat Bucs. Win just one of them and you host a playoff game. This is so surreal. Keep Pounding!! For wrestling fans, winning this Sunday against Saints is like winning the Money in the Bank.

Oh my

Falcons better force a turnover or there is no way they can overcome the favortism

Over/Under 4.5 meaningless penalties called on Bucs in 4th qtr when they are up 2 scores just to make it look more even. This is insanely one-sided.

If we beat Saints and Bucs next two weeks and the Bucs lose to Atlanta on Thursday then we clinch division at Home Week 16. Would not even matter about Seattle or at Tampa. I keep going over in my head and I think that is accurate! Someone correct me if I am wrong.

REAL dream scenario: Beat the Saints Beat the Bucs with Baker Mayfield. He hurts his shoulder again last play of game. Beat the Hawks with Sam Darnold. Beat the Bucs with Teddy Bridgewater. Get the #1 Seed (still technically possible) Beat the Lions with Kyle Allen (Jared Goff injured during practice) NFC Championship - Beat the Bears with Caleb Williams Super Bowl - Beat the Texans with CJ Stroud Bryce Young is the MVP and has exercised all of his demons and proved he is the true franchise.

This is probably the reason we traded up. Had to make sure no one else out there was also wanting Legette so it forced them up a spot. It worked out that the Bills were the team with the relationship between them and Dan. I thought it was a shrewd move by Legette to let the rest of the league know that if they want him, they better get him in first round. But looks like it was just a really honest answer.

Dan and Dave were 100% sold on XL. The fifth year option is in place. And honestly, if Fitterer was still involved he probably would have gotten scared and traded up to 28 or higher and given up even more. Let’s go Game….I mean Panthers!

I think we have made a series of poor decisions but when you say we traded 3 players you have to consider that two were on second contracts and one wanted 30 mil/yr. Bryce and the two picks salaries are a fraction of the others so you would have to list out the players we could afford to pay with that saved money as well. Still doesn’t equal out but it definitely needs to be considered.

There is also the possibility that Brian Burns just did not want to be here and was not going to accept any deal. Fitterer may not have even known that a year and a half ago. But now you take what you can get. The current management shouldn't be held responsible for what did not happen in 2022.

You have to look at it like this, you can trade Burns for 2 2nds, but you are also trading that salary away. So how does Brian Burns for Robert Hunt and 2 2nds sound? Pretty darn good.

So Justin Fields is not going to Raiders?? Where will he end up?

Pay the linemen!! I am good with this. Trade Burns for a first-rounder plus a sweetener and you can afford it easily. Then draft a WR and Edge with first two picks.

Whoa and on cue we sign Robert Hunt!!!! That is awesome. That was the one position (either that or center) I was really hoping we would sign today.

Three really good comments. We may look back at this offseason as one of the best in Panther history based off what we DON'T do.