An Elephant in the Room

[outlaw4]

Well done!

I will say that our franchise record against the NFC East teams (we face the whole division this year) is atrocious but then again, the team shouldn't let something like be an excuse.

[PantherRush]

Strength of Schedule is possibly the most overrated statistic in the NFL. Why? Simply because the NFL is not a static league. Coaching staffs are fired and hired, rosters are overhauled via free agency and the draft, systems are scrapped and redesigned, and major injuries occur in camp, preseason and the regular season.

It's the same reason the Dolphins went from 1-15 to 11-5. It's the same reason we usually see 5-6 division winners change each season.

Exactly. The Giants, Eagles, Vikings, Patriots, etc. are all going to suck.

[TerriblePizza]

The Steelers had a brutal schedule last year and they won it all. My point is I'd rather play a tough game every week so there are no off weeks.

[Gman was right]

I wouldnt worry about it. Schedules mean nothing! We were 12-4 last year so we are guaranteed to be 12-4 again this year too!

[pantherj]

If we knew which teams would have key injuries, and when, then we might be able rate the difficulty of our schedule. Which teams will lose their starting QBs this season? What about their star playmaker? Who knows? The injury bug will go a long way in deciding our fate, and the fate of the 'tough' opponents on our schedule. In addition, the Panthers aren't the only team that is inconsistant from year to year.

Based on last years regular season run defense stats, the Vikings were ranked #1. The Vikings worry me the most, based on last season. The teams at the top of this list are not a good match up for us imo:

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&role=OPP&offensiveStatisticCategory=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=RUSHING&season=2008&seasonType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=true&Submit=Go

Should be another thrilling season for the Panthers. Can't wait to watch it all in HD and maybe a bit loaded.

[Nu Guns]

I have said this before, with this tough schedule if Fox can take us to the playoffs he deserves at least a one year contract extension.

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

There are never weeks off in the NFL, period... regardless of the schedule.

100% correct.

[Brandon]

I really do NOT like talk of how hard a schedule is. It's never easy, because we have 6 games against the NFC South every year. Last year was much tougher than people thought it was gonna be, noone thought Atlanta, Arizona, Minnesota or Denver were going to be as good as they were. Especially not the Falcons.

We have a good team, we will overcome. Nothing more to it.

[electric_blue_it]

I'd rather have them playing the toughest schedule than the most cupcake schedule. If they get through it they are ready for anything and will win it all.

[goodlay]

I feel like with the team we have, it'll be hard for us to fail, but I thought that the year after our SB run also. But I really do believe in this team, the only big weak point I see is the OL depth. If one or two guys get banged up on our line, it could be a rough year.

[Dingo_ate_Babies]

The rest of our division plays the same opponents as we do minus 2 teams.

[AKPantherFan]

new players/injuries/coordinators/schemes

no one knows what is going to happen

its all determined on game day.....

[twylyght]

First off... that is damn funny! Thank you for that.

Second, I very much appreciate the feedback, and I hear what most of you are saying. I just want to make sure that what I have said is perfectly clear.

A lot of the teams that we will be playing are very physical and sound. When I looked at Oakland, Detroit, and KC for last year, I felt pretty confident that if we were hurting on injuries, needed a game where we could play off and still win, etc, then those would be our games. As it turned out, that was the case. Moreover, we had a bye smack in the middle of the year.

We can coach speak all we want about how it doesn't matter and you play the team that's on the field... however, you can't tell me that we would have had the record last year playing the way we did if we were playing schedule we have this year.

So yeah... I'm looking at the past. But I'm not looking who we're playing with a simple eye. These are divisions that have EARNED their reputations, just as the NFC South has EARNED its reputation. NE managed to go 11-5 without their keystone player. Philly is forever playing hard-nosed football. Tampa may well be the easiest spots on our schedule, but I expect nothing but brutality and grit for those contests.

Those that have seen me post, know that I don't just throw things like this out there lightly. If we get through this year with a 10-6 record, it will likely be the best team this organization has ever fielded for its fans.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Two things.

1. Though our schedule is a bit tougher because we finished 1st in the NFC South. Everyone in our division plays pretty much the same schedule except 2 games. So we only have to play as well as they do against the same opponents. I think we will.

2. Knowledgable fans from other teams have us listed as a tough opponent. Though we don't get much respect from ESPN and other media outlets. I think the smart fans know we are not a push over.

I think We Split against the NFC and AFC east 4-4, We go 4-2 in conference and Take the home game against Minnesota and payback Arizona with a home lose of their own. 10-6.

Go Panthers