Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Official 2022 Carolina Panthers Schedule Thread

Zod

By Zod,
in Carolina Panthers

 Share

Recommended Posts

TheSpecialJuan Grand Master

TheSpecialJuan

Posted
Posted

Must-watch game: vs. Cleveland, Week 1

As explained above, the opener sets up as the ultimate boom-or-bust scenario. But the narrative is too rich to choose any game but this one. Even if just one of the two quarterbacks plays — Watson or Mayfield — the otherwise unremarkable matchup becomes riveting theater. And don’t discount the possibility that Mayfield could wind up in Charlotte if the Browns agree to pay more of his $18.8 million salary or they cut him. There’s also this fun fact: Cleveland hasn’t won a season opener since 2004. Giddyup.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 4-7

The Panthers open with four of five games at home, but the end of that homestand also marks the start of the saltiest stretch of their season. Beginning with an Oct. 4 game against Arizona in Charlotte, the Panthers face four consecutive NFC teams that made the playoffs a year ago, including the aforementioned Rams and Bucs. Barring injuries, those teams will start the following quarterbacks: Kyler Murray, Trey Lance (or Jimmy Garoppolo), Matthew Stafford and Brady. If the Panthers don’t win a couple of their early games against the Browns, Giants and Saints, calls for Rhule’s head could be intensifying before Halloween.

Game that has gotten tougher: vs. Denver, Week 12

While the Panthers were one of four teams in the running for Watson, general manager Scott Fitterer called Seahawks GM John Schneider — Fitterer’s boss in Seattle — about Wilson. Those conversations didn’t get very far as Wilson had set his sights on Denver, where Wilson will have a nice collection of weapons in running back Javonte Williams and wideouts Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick. But the Broncos also improved defensively by spending big on defensive end Randy Gregory and drafting pass rusher Nik Bonitto with their first pick in the draft.

One game the Panthers can’t afford to lose: at New York Giants, Week 2

The Panthers had several low points in 2021, but the deflating, 25-3 defeat to the Giants in Week 7 was one of the worst. It was the fourth loss in a row for Carolina following a 3-0 start, and Rhule benched Darnold in the second half after the former Jet completed 16-of-25 passes for just 111 yards, with an interception and three sacks. A similar performance against the Giants — who were interested in Rhule before the Panthers hired him — would not be good for Rhule, given the tougher tests to come in October.

Best offense the Panthers will face: Bengals (Week 9)

The Bengals were really fun to watch on offense last season, and that was even with Joe Burrow getting tossed to the ground early and often every week. Cincinnati overhauled its offensive line with three additions — right tackle La’el Collins, right guard Alex Cappa and center Ted Karras. Cincinnati signed Hayden Hurst to replace tight end C.J. Uzomah. And Burrow has a bunch of other fast, talented guys to work with, a list that includes running back Joe Mixon, wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and tight end Tyler Boyd.

Best defense the Panthers will face: 49ers (Week 5)

San Francisco rode its defense (and Deebo Samuel) nearly all the way to its second Super Bowl appearance in three years. Aaron Donald alone puts the Rams in the conversation in this category. But the 49ers’ front four is deeper, lining up with Javon Kinlaw, Arik Armstead and Nick Bosa, who racked up 15 1/2 sacks and four forced fumbles last year after returning from a knee injury that wiped out most of his 2020 season. San Francisco added to its pass rush by drafting Drake Jackson in the second round. The Niners’ one weak spot was their secondary, but bringing in free-agent cornerback Charvarius Ward should help.

Predicted record: 8-9

The Panthers are better up front on offense, and that has to count for something. But I’m not sure it’s enough to elevate Darnold to a quarterback who leads his team to the playoffs — even against a schedule that has some soft spots. Would the outlook change if the Panthers were to pick up Mayfield or Garoppolo? Yeah, it might, which is why Rhule and the Panthers haven’t completely shut the door on the possibility of adding one of those guys.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • tukafan21
      Bryce Young 5th year option exercised

      By tukafan21 · Posted

      Nobody is giving up a 4th rounder for a backup QB And anyone who needs a starter badly enough to where Bryce would then be their starter, is such a bad team that they're not giving up a pick likely to be about pick 105ish overall, instead of just dealing with a bad QB situation for a season and then drafting one in a loaded QB draft next year. I'm looking through all the teams right now and can't think of a single one that would be willing to part with anything better than a 6th rounder. Barring injuries (and excluding the Panthers), there look to be 10 teams who don't know with 100% certainty who their starting QB will be in 2027... Dolphins, Jets, Browns, Steelers, Vikings, Colts, Saints, Falcons, Cardinals, and Rams. Of those 10...  The Rams know it will be Stafford or Simpson.  The Saints more than likely will be sticking with Shough unless he takes a huge step backwards.  So neither are giving up any draft picks for Bryce right now, just wouldn't make sense for either. Down to 8 Given their current QB situation of having multiple QBs they already need to evaluate between this year, the Browns (Shedeur/Watson), Vikings (Kyler/JJ), Colts (Jones/Richardson/Leonard), and Falcons (Penix/Tua), wouldn't be giving up a 4th (or maybe any pick) to bring in another QB to muddy the waters even more. Down to 4 Dolphins just signed Willis and wouldn't want to bring in another small Alabama QB who has struggled after just dumping Tua instead of just rolling with Ewers as the backup.   That then leaves the Steelers, Cardinals, and Jets left as it's clear none of them have any idea who their 2027 could be as of right now.  But the Steelers would for sure rather just see what one of the 2 QB's they drafted in the last 2 drafts could become than give up a mid round pick for Bryce.  Same goes for the Cardinals in taking Beck this past weekend. The Jets would be the most likely team to even consider taking him on, but I think it seems very apparent right now given them rolling with Geno and now talk of bringing in Wilson to be his backup, they're punting on QB this year to draft someone next year, so why give up even a mid round pick for Bryce?
    • strato
      Where panthers draft ranked against Big Boards in 2023

      By strato · Posted

      Honestly I am not sure Pickett couldn’t step in for him. But I don’t see a clear easy upgrade and we are not KC with Alex Smith we are a team that hadn’t done poo for almost ten years and just made the playoffs. And looked good in the game. That stadium atmosphere on that day…. you know Tepper ate that poo up. Not one drink has been thrown in a while.  You had better make sure if you replaced him after that that you had a sure fire upgrade. 
    • PleaseCutStewart
      Bryce Young 5th year option exercised

      By PleaseCutStewart · Posted

      Makes sense. If Bryce is ass this year, we are probably drafting our new QB next draft and sitting him behind Bryce for a year
×
×
  • Create New...