The Year Ahead: What Other Fanbases Think of the 2017 Carolina Panthers
I went through the Offseason Review series over on r/NFL, and looked at what all our 2017 opponents are predicting for their games against us. Here's the list:
| Week | Opponent | Prediction | What they're saying |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SF | L, 14-17 | We've won the first game of the season for 6 years in a row, which gets more impressive when you realize how long we've been bad. Panthers don't start clicking on offense yet, and a defensive struggle goes the 49ers way after a clutch field goal from Gould puts the game away. Our strong front 7 is able to do good work on their run game and coverage on Olsen, forcing them to rely on outside passes which they don't excel at. Our run game does poorly, but Shanahan is able to surprise the Panthers with a different offensive style with an all new set of offensive personnel. |
| 2 | BUF | 53.5% L | The last time the Bills played the Panthers a certain rookie QB became a star in the eyes and hearts of Bills fans everywhere. This QB, who goes by the name of EJ Manuel is not on the team anymore, but his spirit lives on. Let’s hope the Panthers are still in the post Super Bowl slump. Oh, and we’re playing against the new coaches old team, win one for the gipper. |
| 3 | NO | W, 35-21 | The Saints travel to Carolina next.. Where they fall to the new offensive weapons Carolina has in McCaffery and Newman. |
| 4 | NE | <no prediction> | <no prediction> |
| 5 | DET | L | Cam Newton comes to Detroit but the Panthers are a questionable team other than their quarterback. Detroit has the more talented overall offense – and likely the better team in general. |
| 6 | PHI | L, 10-24 | Ah, the enigma that is the Carolina Panthers. It is truly hard to see where they will end up next season. Was 2016 the product of a Super bowl hangover? Or was it because opposing coaches were able to take advantage of the Panthers lackluster secondary as well as Cam Newton only being able to do so much with so little offensively? Well if the latter was the case then the Panthers addressed that with their 1st and 2nd round picks in the draft, two versatile offensive playmakers that can make Cam’s life a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, I am not a big believer in McCaffrey's ability to succeed at the NFL level (sorry u/MikeTysonChicken ). And I think that this is when the WR’s for the Eagles really start to Gel with Wentz and the offense starts to hit its stride and pulls out a convincing win here. |
| 7 | CHI | W by 10 points | I don't think I'm alone in considering the 2016 Panthers as a team that underperformed their talent level, just as 2015 was a team that in some ways overpervormed their talent level. A team that is somewhere between those two squads (ie between 15-1 and 6-10) is a team that is going to give the Bears some trouble. Cam, especially, will be tough to contain if he continues at his standard level of play. The defense will make tough sledding, especially if a true #1 receiving threat hasn't emerged by this point. |
| 8 | TB | L, 17-20 | In terms of defensive talent, Panthers are still as good as they come. Love the addition of McAffrey on the other side of the ball too and think he’s going to break out for some big plays early on in his career. Jameis has gone an even 2-2 against Carolina in his career so far. I like his odds at home here. |
| 9 | ATL | W | The third away game in a row. Thanks, NFL. First divisional game too. Great. The Panthers are coming off a serious hangover and, combined with a couple of key injuries, suffered a very disappointing season. I expect them to bounce back, not necessarily to 15-1 levels, but double digit wins are certainly within reach. As such, a series split wouldn't be surprising, with this one being a loss to close out this road stretch. |
| 10 | MIA | L | Carolina regressed hard after their superbowl trip. Some might even say the house is on fire. Now, I dont have enough info to put my opinion in on firing their GM, but I can see their team. I think they have some very high highs and some very low lows. I think the Dolphins will look like the contender on this day, despite being the visiting team. They don't want to give up 3 losses in a row and will have fire in the bellies. |
| 12 | NYJ | W | I think the Panthers bounce back this year from a disappointing 2016 |
| 13 | NO | L, 21-28 | Carolina comes to NOLA where the Saints get revenge and split the season series...as is tradition. |
| 14 | MIN | 60% W | The Panthers are bipolar. Either they are a 10+ win team or dive under .500. Last year was an off year, 2017 looks to be an on year. The defense should regress to be better, and the offense looks to get a spark with two electric rookies. The concern I have is that Cam actually dies as Matt Kalil tries to protect his blindside. |
| 15 | GB | L | Panthers attempt to play a slow game but mistakes cost them. |
| 16 | TB | W, 31-24 | We end a three game win streak on the road against Carolina, who we’ve gone an even .500 against in the Jameis Winston era. I think we split the series here. |
| 17 | ATL | L | The last of four divisional games (and 5 in 6) to finished out the season. Did I already thank you for this great schedule, NFL? Anyways, I already spoiled my prediction for this game as well, after week 9. Falcons win their fifth in a row to run away with the NFCS title in the end. Panthers miss out on a wild-card spot in the end, and Cam takes off his jersey to show he was wearing a Falcons shirt under that all along. The Carolinas promptly secede from the US, and cut off their state into the sea. |
Overall predicted record: 6-9 (Patriots reviewer did not write schedule predictions)
Posted Aug 14, 2017, 7:20 PM UTC · edited
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