Joe Bear

Here's the thing; the Panthers were the better team against TB. The officiating in that game was historically awful toward only one team. If the Panthers win that game, though, the Saints-Falcons tilt means nothing and it gets fewer eyeballs. Also, if the Panthers win that game, I'm gonna predict "Yeah 9-8, nothing to be proud of" would be the motto around here. There's plenty of negativity. Poking holes in a playoff season, something that comes once per decade or so around here, seems to be an unhealthy exercise.

And they finished last! Who finished first?

Never said it was, friend. But it's a team game. Remember QB wins not being a real stat?

Interesting how some people lay blame at the foot of the quarterback after the defense blew the lead the offense provided them, and for a wide-open dropped pass on the last drive that was acknowledged as a drop by non PFF-employed, non Tepper-employed FOX analysts and former players. The whole team, at every position, could have played better. But singling out one to place all the blame looks pretty ridiculous. Perhaps we'll next get a "swept by the Saints" comment to complete the set.

Jeff King caught two of Jimmy Clausen's three touchdown passes. He deserves respect.

Hey, they're not all fat.

As long as it's not another WR or TE.

I wouldn't pencil Yosh in as the starter but bringing him back for depth seems to make sense. Is BC even gonna be recovered in time?

Some good points, but I disagree. To me, the goal is to win the division and make the playoffs. If that's made easier some years than others, so be it -- but I enjoy the discussion on either side.

I've often wondered this of other fans: would you prefer 9-8, no playoffs, 8-10 seed in NFC, or 8-9, NFC South title, playoffs, 4-seed in NFC? Does an above-.500 record make a season better than a losing record but playoffs? Basically do you prefer 2007 Browns to 2014 Panthers?

That's crazy but it makes sense.

Maybe the best thing XL has going for him here is he’s T-Mac’s best friend.

Worth noting no coach under Tepper has ever had a 10-win season, so setting that as the expectation would be foolish (especially considering the first-place schedule, OL injuries, etc.). This year was the high point thus far in Tepper's tenure. 6-7 wins seems likely next year and if that's the case, probably hot seat for the following season, but not getting canned. Kind of depends on what Bryce does.

I'll say 9-8. Week 18 game was rigged as all hell so the next day could get more eyeballs. Penalties wiped out Panthers points, penalties gifted Bucs points. I don't even consider the record 8-9 because it's so illegitimate.

Oh there are posters who actually do both to me, and call me a Bryce homer when Stevie Wonder could read my post history and see that’s not the case. I treat those on here the way they treat me. Perhaps instead of only reading a reply you should consider the reason for the reply.