Pro Football Weekly Panthers Preview

[nctarheel0619]

 

 

Best Case Scenario:

The Panthers are still a rather young team across the board. If the adjustments in the secondary can provide at least enough rotation to suffice behind what should be a devastating front seven, Carolina's defense can be a very good one. Cam Newton appears ready to take the next step with some more help, so if the line improves now that the coaches know who its starters are and if a secondary receiver emerges, Carolina could push deep into the postseason.

Worst Case Scenario:

The Panthers didn't do much to address their offensive line in the draft, which means Newton and Jonathan Stewart could still take a pounding. Carolina will have a hard time winning if either one goes down. On defense, there's no guaranteeing that part time secondary players will be able to handle a full time load in a division with Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Jameis Winston. Shaq Thompson might need time to develop. A below .500 year is possible.

2015 NFL Schedule (All Times Eastern)

9/13 @ Jacksonville 1:00 pm

9/20 vs Houston 1:00 pm

9/27 vs New Orleans 1:00 pm

10/4 @ Tampa Bay 1:00 pm

10/11 BYE

10/18 @ Seattle 4:05 pm

10/25 vs Philadelphia 8:30 pm (Sunday Night Football)

11/2 vs Indianapolis 8:30 pm (Monday Night Football)

11/8 vs Green Bay 1:00 pm

11/15 @ Tennessee 1:00 pm

11/22 vs Washington 1:00 pm

11/26 @ Dallas 4:30 pm (Thanksgiving Day)

12/6 @ New Orleans 1:00 pm

12/13 vs Atlanta 1:00 pm

12/20 @ N.Y. Giants 1:00 pm

12/27 @ Atlanta 1:00 pm

1/3/16 vs Tampa Bay 1:00 pm

PREDICTION: 7-9

From the PFW Magazine.  

[KissMyConverse]

Because of how they worded their worst case scenario "A sub 500 season is possible" it seems they chose to go Worst Case Scenario for us.... 

Were they only able to choose one or the other?

Oh man I'll be glad when the season gets here so we can shut people up. 

[OneBadCat]

Bitch please

[LinvilleGorge]

I'm not sure why the concern about the secondary.  We'll be returning all key member of last season's secondary.  At worst, it shouldn't be any worse that last year's.

[Mol3m4n]

Because of how they worded their worst case scenario "A sub 500 season is possible" it seems they chose to go Worst Case Scenario for us.... 

Were they only able to choose one or the other?

Oh man I'll be glad when the season gets here so we can shut people up. 

I was thinking the meant just the opposite. I thought it was pretty spot on.

[KissMyConverse]

I was thinking the meant just the opposite. I thought it was pretty spot on.

You think we're going 7-9 this year? 

[pantherphan96]

they literally chose the worst case scenario lmao

[MadHatter]

they literally chose the worst case scenario lmao

that is because they are not sold on the OL moves.  Oher is a risky move given the past few years of performance.  They do not think he can get it done....which is a very real possibility.

I personally think he is going to surprise a lot of people and the OL will be more than solid.

[Mol3m4n]

You think we're going 7-9 this year? 

No. The article sounded positive to me.

[The Huddler]

11-5, 12-4

[Mother Grabber]

No. The article sounded positive to me.

their prediction at the end was 7-9, which was on par with their 'worst case scenario'.  That's what everyone is laughing about.

[tondi]

How many teams wouldn't be in deep poo if they lost their starting QB?

[LinvilleGorge]

I'm still worried about LT too, but at least the line should be solid across the board other than LT.  At worst, I think Oher will at least be better than Bell.  At best, maybe reuniting with Matsko will make him a decent LT.  I don't think we're signing Jonathan Ogden here by any stretch, but just an average LT, hell a below average LT would still be a significant upgrade from Byron Bell.  We can compensate for one weak OT.  But we spent a good chunk of last year with two terrible OTs.  You can't compensate for that.

[pantherphan96]

I mean, I could see us going 7-9, with the absolute floor being 5-11, but I highly doubt we do worse than 8-8. The talent is in place for us to be above .500, but it depends on health and other extraneous circumstances.