It seems the Panthers have earned their respect back

[LegioX]

I believe the game last night will be a great foundation to build on. Let’s be honest, we were the joke of the league coming into the playoffs. Now everyone is giving us props for playing a tough game and giving it all against the Rams (who are consider a favorite to win it all) and see us having a bright future. Feels good to be somewhat relevant again. Already looking forward to next season!

Edited January 11 by LegioX

[hepcat]

Yea the entire NFL got to watch the Panthers play a tough hard fought game against a Super Bowl contender and the Panthers looked every bit that they belonged in the playoffs. If they continue to improve the roster, Morgan hits on the first and second round pick again, this could be an actual good team next year. Getting a stud pass rusher, improving the linebacker group, getting a legit slot receiver, and retooling the depth on the offensive line and they’re in the playoffs again. Honestly this group was probably one elite pass rusher away from a deep playoff run. 

[musicman]

It was a fun game to watch, back and forth, good plays on both sides. Competitive. That's all I think we all wanted is to be in every game. 

This sounds weird but it's better that they lost and played great. If they won they wouldn't go far in the playoffs and the expectations for next year would have been too much. Now, we see progress and we're all hopefully for another step deeper into the playoffs with the right roster moves. 

[Gapanthersfan]

For a Panthers team to not completely poo the bed in a big nationally televised playoff game feels unnatural. For them to turn it around  when everything was going wrong against the Rams in a nationally televised playoff game… that’s sorcery. 

[Khyber53]

43 minutes ago, hepcat said:

Yea the entire NFL got to watch the Panthers play a tough hard fought game against a Super Bowl contender and the Panthers looked every bit that they belonged in the playoffs. If they continue to improve the roster, Morgan hits on the first and second round pick again, this could be an actual good team next year. Getting a stud pass rusher, improving the linebacker group, getting a legit slot receiver, and retooling the depth on the offensive line and they’re in the playoffs again. Honestly this group was probably one elite pass rusher away from a deep playoff run. 

Actually, that depth on the line... I was impressed how they showed up after Icky went down AND Hunt had to come out of the game for a while. We may have a pretty decent line for next season, whether Moton decides to play another year or not.

Cade Mays at Center helps a lot.

[Achilles]

One thing the Panthers proved this year in 2 games:

The Rams are a very potent offense with a mediocre defense that leaves them vulnerable.  They are NOT the best team in the NFL.  Matt Stafford is amazing, but not untouchable.

I would not take the Rams to make it to the Super Bowl. Seattle is the best team in the NFC by a mile. 
 

Proud of our boys!  Good showing except for the prevent shell on that last LA drive. 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

The only problem now is that next year...going to be VERY hard to make the playoffs again. We play a lot of really good teams

[TheBigKat]

We’re no longer part of the National Laughingstock circuit

 

that distinguished group belongs to

Jets

Browns

Raiders

[uncfan888]

5 minutes ago, Mr Mojo Risin said:

The only problem now is that next year...going to be VERY hard to make the playoffs again. We play a lot of really good teams

We played a lot of really good teams this year

[Shotgun]

It was a great game and fun to watch. Rams shouldn't be the SB favorite though. With that D they arent winning it all, they'll get abused once they face a good O. 

[Tbe]

19 minutes ago, Mr Mojo Risin said:

The only problem now is that next year...going to be VERY hard to make the playoffs again. We play a lot of really good teams

Every year good teams turn bad and bad teams get good. 

Who knows how hard the schedule will really be.

[Jon Snow]

1 minute ago, Tbe said:

Every year good teams turn bad and bad teams get good. 

Who knows how hard the schedule will really be.

This^^^. The strength of schedule means nothing until the games are played next season. It always changes as the season plays out.

[mrcompletely11]

1 hour ago, hepcat said:

Yea the entire NFL got to watch the Panthers play a tough hard fought game against a Super Bowl contender and the Panthers looked every bit that they belonged in the playoffs. If they continue to improve the roster, Morgan hits on the first and second round pick again, this could be an actual good team next year. Getting a stud pass rusher, improving the linebacker group, getting a legit slot receiver, and retooling the depth on the offensive line and they’re in the playoffs again. Honestly this group was probably one elite pass rusher away from a deep playoff run. 

We regress but still win 7/8 games.  Maybe lower if we have to replace Icky.   

[hepcat]

35 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

We regress but still win 7/8 games.  Maybe lower if we have to replace Icky.   

I dunno about how big of an impact losing Icky is. He was a mauler in the run game when healthy but was always average in pass coverage and seemed to be playing hurt this year. Nijman performed well when he had to play.