The Ringer: The NFL Standings Are Lying to You

[UNCrules2187]

Good read for Panthers fans on the ledge right now. Despite the pass rush seeming lackluster, the defense is still playing very well. If the offense can get untracked over the next few weeks, we should run away with the division.

https://theringer.com/the-nfl-standings-are-lying-to-you-d7672fdcc903#.2fyxxoyix

Quote

 

Carolina Panthers: 1–2, Tied for Second in the NFC South
The Panthers had a grueling early-season schedule, and it’s taken them only three weeks to double the number of regular-season losses they suffered in the 2015 campaign. Their defeats came in two tightly-matched games against the Broncos and Vikings, and in both, Carolina’s offensive line struggled to protect the reigning MVP. In those two games alone, Cam Newton was sacked 11 times and hit 20 times. He took several serious head shots against the Broncos and injured his ankle against the Vikings, so it’s a small miracle that he hasn’t been injured any worse. The league’s top scoring team from 2015 has still averaged 25.3 points per game (12th in the league), and a juicy slate of bad NFC South defenses the next three weeks — the Falcons, Bucs, and Saints — should help them right the ship offensively.

Defensively, Carolina hasn’t skipped much of a beat — despite starting a rookie, second-rounder James Bradberry, at cornerback. The Panthers have surrendered just 273.3 yards per game (third), 4.7 yards per play (fifth), generated six takeaways (tied for seventh), allowed 6.6 yards per attempt passing (11th), and 3.4 yards per rush (sixth).

What We Don’t Know: Newton has completed 58.3 percent of his passes, right in line with his career average, but has just five touchdown passes to offset his five interceptions. His yards per attempt (7.5) and passer rating (78.0) have dropped since last season, but all of that could — and should — be expected after facing off against two of the league’s best defenses in Denver and Minnesota. Newton’s numbers should improve over the next few weeks, but Carolina’s offensive line hasn’t shown yet that it’ll be able to give him the kind of time he’ll need to match last year’s explosive performance.

What We Can Expect: The Panthers remain the clear favorite in the NFC South — which, of course, isn’t saying a whole lot with how bad the division looks again this year. But while the preseason hype around the Panthers as favorites to win the NFC again has already faded, expecting dominant performances week-in, week-out like we saw as they went 15–1 last year was never very realistic. Their slow start means they face a tougher road to the top seed, but with the way they’re built — with one of the toughest, most physical defenses in the NFL and a creative, effective run game with Cam Newton under center — they’re the type of team that just needs a ticket to the postseason, and from there, anything can happen.

 

 

[PandaPancake]

As PFT said:

4. Panthers (1-2; No. 3): Sure, no team with a losing record has ever landed this high. But no elite team has faced defenses like Denver’s and Minnesota’s in the first three games of a season.

I didn't want to hijack but didn't want to start a whole new thread just for this 

[ChuckWag78]

Nice find. Puts things in perspective a bit.

[OneBadCat]

And we should have won both of our losses. The plays were there to be made. Wasn't as if we were getting our asses handed to us all game.

[mc52beast]

Not sure we can get too excited about the defense so far, these are the qb's we have faced;

Trevor Simien- made his first start

Blaine Gabbert- come on, really?

Sam Bradford- a career full of nothing

Say what you want about the Cons and Aints but they can put up points, will find out a lot more about our D in the next few weeks.

Our offense should(better) do well against our NFC opponents, which doesn't really gauge where they are... we have to find a way to beat elite defenses or a trip to the playoffs will be nothing but a waste of time 

[UNCrules2187]

8 minutes ago, mc52beast said:

Not sure we can get too excited about the defense so far, these are the qb's we have faced;

Trevor Simien- made his first start

Blaine Gabbert- come on, really?

Sam Bradford- a career full of nothing

Say what you want about the Cons and Aints but they can put up points, will find out a lot more about our D in the next few weeks.

Our offense should(better) do well against our NFC opponents, which doesn't really gauge where they are... we have to find a way to beat elite defenses or a trip to the playoffs will be nothing but a waste of time 

Trevor Siemian just put up 312 yards, 4 TDs, and 29 points on the road against the Bengals D (one that sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick 7x in Week 1).

Sam Bradford out dueled Aaron Rodgers just 10 days ago to the tune of 286 yards at a 9 YPA clip and 2 TDs.

You may not think they're great QBs, but the short sample size of the 5 games they've played so far this season shows they're more than competent.

[PandaPancake]

19 minutes ago, UNCrules2187 said:

Trevor Siemian just put up 312 yards, 4 TDs, and 29 points on the road against the Bengals D (one that sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick 7x in Week 1).

Sam Bradford out dueled Aaron Rodgers just 10 days ago to the tune of 286 yards at a 9 YPA clip and 2 TDs.

You may not think they're great QBs, but the short sample size of the 5 games they've played so far this season shows they're more than competent.

Check out this guy using facts and logic 

[BountyHunter]

1 hour ago, PandaPancake said:

4. Panthers (1-2; No. 3): Sure, no team with a losing record has ever landed this high. But no elite team has faced defenses like Denver’s and Minnesota’s in the first three games of a season.

At some point we have to start beating teams with elite defenses if we are to win the SB. 

[PandaPancake]

13 minutes ago, BountyHunter said:

At some point we have to start beating teams with elite defenses if we are to win the SB. 

[Moose87Banks]

4-2


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[ShutDwn]

And we still could've/should've beaten both the Vikings/Broncos

Still counts as a loss and I really need to see a more focused team ready to handle business.

[Peppers90 NC]

1 hour ago, PandaPancake said:

Check out this guy using facts and logic 

Other than it was the Jets that sacked Dalton 7 times

[UNCrules2187]

28 minutes ago, Peppers90 NC said:

Other than it was the Jets that sacked Dalton 7 times

Yep, you're right, my bad. I knew SOMEONE was sacked 7x that game haha.

[pstall]

Sandwiched between those great defenses may be the worst team in football.

This Atlanta game will be the truer barometer of who this team really is imo.