Official 2015 Panthers Season Prediction

[Jeremy Igo]

I have gathered the data. 

I have crunched the numbers. 

I have applied our proprietary Huddle Algorithm. 

Now, without further ado, the Official 2015 Huddle Season Prediction 

 

The Good News 

Cam Newton is as healthy as he has been since 2011. Not many people are discussing this, but it remains the biggest factor on the Panthers 2015 season prospects throughout the entire team. A healthy Cam Newton is good for a few wins on his own, even if the rest of the offense is not clicking. 

The Panthers offensive line appears to be greatly improved over the start of last season. Mike Shula's passing attack requires a bit more time than many other passing attacks in the NFL, this offensive line should be able to provide it. This is a vertical passing attack, not a west coast dink and dunk. 

Pro Tip: Panthers rookie Daryl Williams will be starting more sooner than later. He will quietly be the Panthers best 2015 draft selection. 

Running backs are no longer a concern on this team. Last season we saw undrafted rookie Darren Reaves actually start a game due to injuries. Reaves did not even make it as far as training camp this season, that tells you how much this group has improved. Stewart, Artis-Payne, and Wegher are all capable of carrying a full load of snaps on their shoulders. This is the best running back depth the Panthers have had in many seasons. 

The Panthers now have the most talented and most complete linebackers corps in the NFL. The addition of first rounder Shaq Thompson has solidified that fact. The linebackers are the biggest reason the Panthers were able to pull off a victory against Arizona in the playoffs last season. They are improved since then, which is a scary notion for the rest of the league. 

 

The Bad News 

You knew it was coming, so here it is. The loss of Kelvin Benjamin is a tough one. The Panthers wide receiver corps are just not as talented without him, especially in the red zone where the Panthers offense struggles the most. Rookie Devin Funchess has not yet shown the ability to use his size to his advantage against NFL corners. Ted Ginn and Jerricho Cotchery are currently the two best other options. Not good. 

Depth at corner is razor thin. Josh Norman, Peanut Tillman, and Bene Benwikere are a stout starting lineup. All three, however, have already been injured at one point or another since the start of camp. The Panthers need help here and will most likely be bringing in an additional corner soon. 

Don't underestimate the Star Loutelei foot injury. His foot flared up once the pads were put on in practice, which was a full 7 months after his surgery. Prepare to see Star off and on throughout the season. Colin Cole and Kyle Love are solid backups, but they are no Star. 

Special teams, and particularly punt coverage, remains a concern. This group looked less than stellar in preseason after a dismal 2014 season. There will be more than one game this season where a punt return could be the difference in the game. 

 

Conclusion

The 2015 Panthers squad is built to win on the road. With a solid defense and running game, they will be able to slow the game down and run the clock. This quiets the away crowds and halts any momentum the home team may develop. 

Cam Newton's athleticism will make up for many passing plays gone awry. His impromptu scrambling will be the difference once again. For the past two seasons, the Panthers offense would have ranked near last place without his heroics.  

The Panthers defense will rank in the top 5 when it is all said and done this year. 

 

2015 Panthers Record Prediction

11 wins

5 losses

NFC South Title

 

 

View full article

[uncfan888]

I have 11-5 too. The haters can suck it 

[Jackofalltrades]

I'm not as optimistic.

 

10-6 and Division Champs

[BigBoss]

Last year I called 7-9, which was pretty much right...

 

this year....

 

I like the pass protection Cam is getting and I think that's going to be so significant towards his health and passing so....

 

9-7, wild card.

[PanthersUnited]

This is kind of a worst case scenario but it wouldnt surprise me to be 2-2 at the bye, 1-3 against the "big 4" (Seattle, Green Bay, Philly and Indy) and finishing out the season pretty strong for 9-7/10-6ish.

 

I cannot stress how important it is we start strong. Having to play the 4 best teams in the NFL al in a row is brutal

Edited September 7, 2015 by PanthersUnited

[zacka77ack]

Which are your 5 losses?

[motocross_cat]

Sounds about right to me.  

I think we will see a more vocal, demanding, tenacious cam newton this year.  Personally i think we win a couple big games on shear will and determination.   Yall can give me all the analytical bullshit u want this team wants it too much to at least not get another division title.

 

 

 

[kungfoodude]

I feel like 8-9 wins is about right. Luckily for us, that seems like it could be enough to win the division. 

[FuFuLamePoo]

I say 9-7

[Kuhndog94]

Sun, Sep 13	@	Jaguars - W		10:00 AM
Sun, Sep 20	vs	Texans - W		10:00 AM
Sun, Sep 27	vs	Saints - W		10:00 AM
Sun, Oct 4	@	Buccaneers - W		10:00 AM
Sun, Oct 18	@	Seahawks - L		1:05 PM
Sun, Oct 25	vs	Eagles - L		5:30 PM
Mon, Nov 2	vs	Colts - L		5:30 PM
Sun, Nov 8	vs	Packers - L		10:00 AM
Sun, Nov 15	@	Titans - W		10:00 AM
Sun, Nov 22	vs	Redskins - W		10:00 AM
Thu, Nov 26	@	Cowboys - W		1:30 PM
Sun, Dec 6	@	Saints - L		10:00 AM
Sun, Dec 13	vs	Falcons - W		10:00 AM
Sun, Dec 20	@	Giants - W		10:00 AM
Sun, Dec 27	@	Falcons - L		10:00 AM
Sun, Jan 3	vs	Buccaneers - W

 

10-6, NFC South Champs1 3 playoff wins, 1 Superbowl

 

I'll just keep my mouth shut and assume you meant this.

[DeeJay]

12-4

We split with the saints,

Packers,Seahawks ,Colts in close games,

 

[KSpan]

This is kind of a worst case scenario but it wouldnt surprise me to be 2-2 at the bye, 1-3 against the "big 4" (Seattle, Green Bay, Philly and Indy) and finishing out the season pretty strong for 9-7/10-6ish.

 

I cannot stress how important it is we start strong. Having to play the 4 best teams in the NFL al in a row is brutal

Colts and Eagles are Top 4 teams?  Mm'kay.

[hepcat]

I can't shake the feeling the Panthers are still a .500 team.  I'm going 9-7.  Defense looks good, but lacks an elite pass rusher to make them Top 5.  Fourth straight year top 10, offense ranks around 17-19, top 5 in rushing, near dead last in passing offense.  Division is better, but 9-7 could still be enough to win it.  

[hepcat]

Colts and Eagles are Top 4 teams?  Mm'kay.

The Colts were literally a top 4 team last year