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NFL Divisional Preview by Bill Barbwell

Leeroy Jenkins PhD

By Leeroy Jenkins PhD,
in Carolina Panthers

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Leeroy Jenkins PhD

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http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/10273112/bill-barnwell-nfl-playoffs

 

First preview I have found that actually does a good job explaining the match-up.

 

Here are a couple good exerts, but I suggest you read the entire article: 

 

Here's my question: How many times do the Carolina Panthers have to prove that they're for real before people start believing? The Vegas line is one indicator, but just in reading Twitter, doing radio appearances, and listening to assorted forms of media throughout the week, there's a definite perception that the Panthers need to win this game to legitimize their status as a serious contender to win the Super Bowl this year. As if going 12-4 weren't enough!

 

The weird thing about the whole Cam Newton narrative this year is that he's being twisted in two directions and doesn't belong to either of them. As I wrote about before thePanthers went on their 11-1 run to end the season, Newton wasn't the guy holding the Panthers back. And while Carolina has gone on an incredible run, with Newton coming up with a number of key drives along that path, he also really hasn't taken some enormous step forward this year. He's still Cam:

 

 

 

It All Comes Down To …

Passing. Both these teams have solid running games, even if they're not necessarily always dominant. They each have excellent defenses; Carolina ranked third in defensive DVOA this year, and while the 49ers finished 13th, the return of Aldon Smith turned them into a scarier unit as the season went along, and Smith had one of his best games of the year against Green Bay last week. They each have above-average special teams, with San Francisco trading superior performances from their kickers and punters for inferior return work by their return men.

The big question mark, then, is whether either of these teams will be able to throw the football. San Francisco's passing game was functionally useless in Week 10, and a few key conversions in the second half were enough for Carolina to come through with an enormous victory. The Niners suit up for this contest as the dreaded West Coast team playing a 1:05 p.m. ET game, but if they can get last week's Crabtree onto the field and keep Steve Smith off it, the difference in each team's passing attack might be enough to swing the pendulum toward San Francisco.

 

 

Great article from a man who seems to actually know what he is talking about!

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    • strato
      2027: Sharing my thoughts on the cap without a lotta research

      By strato · Posted

      Would you just fuging quit trying to make us like him? That is his job, not yours.  Thank you. 
    • LinvilleGorge
      2027: Sharing my thoughts on the cap without a lotta research

      By LinvilleGorge · Posted

      Rookie season being key to uour argument. I didn't at all mislead about the talent Cam had to work with. Kalil was a great center. Olsen was a great TE. Our WRs were probably the worst in the league. Cam still won MVP, we went 15-1, and we went to the SB. Your attempt to bring up Cam to defend Bryce is desperate and clownish. Bryce has more talent to work with and has done WAY less.
    • cranky
      2027: Sharing my thoughts on the cap without a lotta research

      By cranky · Posted

      Not exactly sure that is an honest assesment of the talent he had to work with that year. Olsen had over 1100 yards that season making the PB, Stewart had close to 1100 total yards also going to the PB. He had Kalil at C who went to the PB, Trai Turner at RG who also went to the PB, and Michael Oher at LT who played well enough that the Panthers offered him a new contract the following year. I wouldn't call that a trash OL. He also played with a defense that was stacked with talent as well.   "The thing we are doing better this time around is actually surrounding our #1 overall draft pick QB with talent vs. asking him to completely carry the offense. I just hope that effort is leading us to realize that the guy isn't even good enough to get carried." Please.... Did you not read the list of names Newton had to work with his rookie season. I guess you missed it so I will post it again for you... Steve Smith (PB), Greg Olsen (PB), Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn JR, Deangelo Williams (PB), Jonathan Stewart (PB), Jordan Grossn (PB), Ryan Kalil (PB) on the offensive side and then he had Luke Kuechly (PB), Jon Beason (PB), Thomas Davis (PB), Star Lotulelei, Kawann Short ( PB ),Charles Johnson, Greg Hardy (PB ), Mike Mitchell, Josh Norman (PB)  For comparison, here is who Young had his first year.  Chuba Hubbard, DJ Chark, Jonathan Mingo, Adam Thielen, Hayden Hurst, Ikem Ekwonu, Chandler Zavala, Bradley Bozeman, Nash Jensen and Taylor Morton. Not a single PB player on the list and most of them aren't even playing any longer. Additionally, his HC was fired during the season and the defense was as bad as the offense.  You might not like the comparison but saying Newton had to completely carry the offense isn't exactly fair to the 4 pro bowlers on offense who played with him that year.
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