Jason La Canfora's bold 2nd half prediction for the Panthers...

[X-Clown]

I did not see this posted anywhere, so merge the thread if necessary. Nice to see someone in the media who appears to actually be paying attention to what is actually happening in our games.

Panthers go .500 or better in the second half: This team is going to continue scoring a ton of points, the defense, though struck by injuries, has made some corrections heading into the bye. There is a lot to love about this team. They easily should be 4-4 right now, but are just learning how to close out games. And they've been horrible on special teams, just brutal. I expect that to get corrected some too (injuries to linebackers have hit special teams hard). The Panthers headed into their bye ranked 26th or worst in all of the following categories: Opponents average starting position (24-yard line), opponent average kickoff return (28.3), opponent punt return (15.3), while averaging just 5.5 yards per punt return and starting at the 20.2-yard line -- 28th and 29th, respectively, in the NFL. They correct that just a little bit and give Cam Newton a little more help, and this franchise will make strides, quickly.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d823e3220/article/secondhalf-predictions-brees-makes-history-playoff-picture?module=HP11_cp

[4Corners]

what are these corrections he is speaking of?

more proof these beat writers don't watch panthers games.

[dpm0409]

Oh how expectations have changed quickly.

[smitty_89]

Thats not bold...I expect us to go 4-4....6-2 would be bold

[SOJA]

8-0

Edit: sorry guys I meant 8---------0

[CatMan72]

I could see us beating the Bucs x 2.

[chknwing]

were gonna win 2 more games, thats it.

Sorry to burst your bubble

[Camdemonium]

So I see bye weeks have the same effect as wins over terrible teams huh?

[Pejorative Miscreant]

While I see that quite a few things could have gone our way in the first half and allowed us to win more games, I dont see any rationale for us getting better in the areas he is speaking of. I dont think we are channeling Devin Hester, Micheal Bates or even He Hate Me for special teams mojo so I suspect those stats will be similar.

I think realistically,

1. The interior DL gets somewhat better as they can learn to anticipate and react to blocking schemes and are able to get (marginally) better at stopping the run.

2. Offense needs to cut down on some of the untimely mistakes such as holds, false starts, interceptions, etc...

If we can do both of those things consistently I think we will win at least as many as we lose in the 2nd half of the season.

[2jakefansinva]

while reading the last sentence (from Jason)....................I felt it move

[chknwing]

With our Linebackers dropping like flies, the defense cannot gel as a unit. When you have different people in there each game calling the plays for the defense and making adjustments, its hard for players to get it together. I dont see this changing this season. The defense has to have that rock in there making the calls for the defense, it was beason, hes gone. The result, is a defense that cant adjust or makes the wrong adjustment to an offensive play and getting hit for big yards. This defense wont be able to stop many teams, its the offense responsibility to score on every drive to make up for it. Look at the schedule, the teams that are struggling scoring points, are the teams carolina will beat.

[SnarkAttack]

what are these corrections he is speaking of?

more proof these beat writers don't watch panthers games.

He's not a beat writer. He writes for NFL.com...

[footballisasport]

I would love to see this team play on National TV. I Read on PFT that the NFL just removed the Pats and Colts game from one of the Sunday Evening games and placed them in the 4:15 slot. Quite a few postings wanted the space to be filled with a Panthers game. I wonder if TPTB at NFL are reading these sports sites?

[Camdemonium]

They won't take one shitty team off the air to put on another one.