It's extremely possible, maybe even likely that we lose on Monday

[Sam Mills Fan]

You come to Sam Mills Fan for hard truths. Here are some hard truths:

 

- The Patriots are nearly unbeatable under Belichick late in regular seasons and after bye weeks.

- The Patriots are 7-2. We are 6-3.

- The Panthers are favored, albeit by a razor thin margin on Monday.

- The Panthers are the toast of the NFL media after the win over the Niners on Sunday.

- Panthers fans are suddenly as confident as they've been at least since the 2008 season.

 

Now, for those of you that have been Panthers fans long enough to remember 1995-2008, does this seem like a recipe for victory on Monday night? I don't think so. I've seen this script a million times before and it nearly always ends in a big defeat. Reminds me of when we went into Chicago in 2005 on a big winning streak around this time of year with a similar record and were being picked as a possible SB favorite and we got beaten pretty badly by the Bears because Jake laid an egg.

 

If I HAD to pick, I would go with my brain over my heart and pick the Patriots on Monday night. But even if we do lose, I think this team is still very poised to do some damage in the playoffs. And if we win, bucking all prior preconceptions about the Panthers throughout the franchise's entire history? Then you might want to start making plans for New York come February.

 

I hope I'm wrong!

[Huell]

Close your legs and shut up, it smells in here.

[cardiackat88.]

- The Patriots are nearly unbeatable under Belichick late in regular seasons and after bye weeks

Have you seen the Panthers record in the second half of the season under Rivera, Cam, and Co?

[Jase]

I remember having a similar feeling before we played the giants in 2008.

 

 

And then we curb stomped them.  It was great.

 

Hope this team responds similarly.

[csx]

Any questions I have about the outcome come from the other team being coached by Belichick and led by Brady. What happened in the past has no bearing on the outcome of this game. 

[Dex]

An opinion? What is this sorcery??? Boo this man!

[csx]

I remember having a similar feeling before we played the giants in 2008.

 

 

And then we curb stomped them.  It was great.

 

Hope this team responds similarly.

 

The Giants beat us in 2008. We lost in overtime.

[SpeedOFLight]

Maybe it is just me believing in my team but I believe we will win sunday and in a convincing fashion. This is not the past. This is a new team with new faces with heart. I remember that Bears game and as I recall we didn't get destroyed. It was a very low scoring game. 13-6 maybe? But I remember us getting revenge in the playoffs. I believe this team has turned the corner and I am expecting them to win every week. I picked them in my football pool at work as well. Monday is a big game and believe Brady will be running for his life everytime he hikes the ball. I give BB and Brady credit but I will also give my boys credit. Go panthers!

[Huell]

"There's no way we win, I have no faith, might not even watch its gonna get ugly, BUT if they win?! I will act like the biggest fan ever and not eat an crow!!!"

Summary of his post

[PantherWake]

Fug you and you're negativity.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Jase, we lost actually. That's another example like the Bears. Went in with all this confidence and then we got Nick Hayden'd.

[Growl]

I've always had this feeling that SMF is or may as well be a Not Awesomeness alt.

[Cyberjag]

I know their defense is really good.  I know they have a QB that the media has crowned as a future HOFer.  I know that they're coming off a bye week, and their coach is widely considered as one of the best in the NFL.  I know everyone is picking them to be playing in late January, they're a legit Super Bowl contender.  I know we traditionally stub our toes in marquee games.  And again, under that coach they just don't lose after their bye.

 

Still, I think we can beat the 49ers. 

[Sam Mills Fan]

Fug you and you're negativity.

 

I think it's just being realistic. And if we DO win, I'm serious: If you have the means and money, you should start thinking about a Super Bowl trip because there will be no team in the league that should be favored against us then.