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ESPN prediction

ladypanther

By ladypanther,
in Carolina Panthers

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ladypanther Grand Master

ladypanther

Posted
Posted

1. Carolina Panthers

Odds of winning division: 35.1 percent (1st in division)
Odds of making playoffs: 46.4 percent (7th in NFL)

We actually give Carolina a very slight nod over Atlanta to win the NFC South this year. Let's not forget that the Panthers won this division three years in a row before collapsing last season. The Panthers and Falcons look almost perfectly even on paper, but the schedule gives the edge to Carolina. While the Falcons have to play the Cowboys and then travel to Seattle (in back-to-back weeks, no less), the Panthers get to play the 49ers and Eagles -- the latter at home on a Thursday night. The biggest games on either team's slate, though, come against each other -- the Panthers host the Falcons in Week 9, then travel to Atlanta in Week 17 for a game that will probably decide the division champion.

Schedule aside, this year's Panthers should be much more formidable than the 2016 version. Even if he falls short of his MVP numbers of 2015, Cam Newton is likely to rebound from the dreadful season he had last year. First-round pick Christian McCaffrey should offer a rushing/receiving threat the likes of which the Panthers have never seen. And perennially excellent tight end Greg Olsen should again be a reliable target in the passing game. Meanwhile, the Panthers are counting on veteran free agents -- defensive end Julius Peppersand defensive backs Captain Munnerlyn and Mike Adams -- to turn around a defense that fell from second to 10th in DVOA last season.

The biggest question for Carolina isn't on the field, but in the front office. The midsummer firing of general manager Dave Gettleman caught everyone off guard (including, we assume, Gettleman). Former GM Marty Hurney has returned to guide the team on an interim basis, but it's impossible to say just what this team's long-term vision is. In the short term, though, we like Carolina's odds of getting back into the playoffs.

 

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20368242/nfl-ranking-most-likely-worst-first-teams-2017-season

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Ace_Aladdin Newbie

Ace_Aladdin

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1 hour ago, CarolinaSunday said:

This is in line with what I've been thinking.  That both teams are good but we have the easier schedule so we should have the edge.  

But that means I agree with ESPN analysis which is concerning....

Panthers have better OL , Running game and Defense 

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top dawg Grand Master

top dawg

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How in the hell are we even on paper?

The only way that we are "even" is if you deem their offensive dominance equal to our defensive dominance. Our defense is light years ahead of theirs, so the biggest question is how our offense will compare to theirs. That's my pre-season theory anyway. 

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Ball4life Contributor

Ball4life

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36 minutes ago, top dawg said:

How in the hell are we even on paper?

The only way that we are "even" is if you deem their offensive dominance equal to our defensive dominance. Our defense is light years ahead of theirs, so the biggest question is how our offense will compare to theirs. That's my pre-season theory anyway. 

Light years better? Both defenses ranked around the same last year. I think both could be two of the better ones in the league this year. 

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Ace_Aladdin Newbie

Ace_Aladdin

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2 hours ago, Ball4life said:

Better running game based on what? Lol Falcons had the better OL last year and only lose the weakest of the bunch. (RG -Chris Chester)

Yea that was last year

Panthers have the better interior OL and the Tackles position is upgraded from last season. The reason ATL OL was effective in run blocking because they didn't have stacked boxes with their weapons spreading the Defenses out.

I  would say Panthers OL did whole lot more with less talent around it 

2016:

Atlanta:  1,928 yds  20 TDs

Panthers: 1,814 yds 16 TDs

@Jeremy Igo

@Jon Snow

599866ce19e86_ScreenShot2017-08-19at12_23_07PM.thumb.png.5bff579e30ac9841b282d9f1d86c5026.png

 

 

 

 

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top dawg Grand Master

top dawg

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52 minutes ago, Ball4life said:

Light years better? Both defenses ranked around the same last year. I think both could be two of the better ones in the league this year. 

Alright, I admittedly could be just drinking the koolaid, you're right. But...

Last season we ranked 21st and 25th in total defense. But you have to know that there were unusual and extenuating circumstances regarding our defense with the rookies and injuries. Hell, Julio Jones put up 300 yards all by himself. That's another game's worth of statistics. Our passing defense was 29th as a result of the train wreck that happened in our defensive backfield for half a season. The Falcons didn't have all that going on, but they still were 28th in passing defense. They were also 17th in running defense, where we were 6th. So, what I am saying to you that what you saw last year from our defense was skewed, and theirs not so much.

Now they're youngsters got a year experience under their belt, and they did go out and add Dontari Poe, Takk McKinley (who has had injury issues), and Duke Riley, but is that really going to help their defensive backfield? I mean, Takk is a rookie and Poe has never been really known for pass rushing---not really. And that's even if they can even pull off the same philosophy we have of the front making the back better. Look at what we have compared to what they have on paper, and I don't see them being anywhere near good as us.

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