Mage

The Rams are going to smoke us. I said this the first time around, and I was (happily) proven wrong. But a lot went our way that first game. We had 0 turnovers while the Rams had 3, and we converted 3 4th downs. We had over 10+ minutes more in total possession than the Rams. We had a Pick 6. And we still only won by 3 in a game that required a 4th quarter comeback, which was won on a rare 40+ yard TD throw by Bryce. Could all of that happen again? Maybe. But probably not. I hope they prove me wrong again.

I won't blame him much for the lack of pass game, but it is frustrating how easy it is to get him to stop running the ball. For example, last week, how did Dowdle and Hubbard finish with 7 and 5 rush attempts respectively? That is simply unacceptable in a game where the Bucs only scored 16 points. And a flea flicker in the redzone? Damn near unforgiveable. And the fact he defended the call after the fact alarms the hell out of me.

I don't know about the worst QB in Panthers history. But he is definitely the worst 2+ year starter, regardless of position, in our team history.

It is even more jarring when you look at our losses to teams who are objectively good - 16 to the Jags, 29 to the Patriots, 31 to the Bills, 11 to the 49ers, 17 to the Seahawks. Last year we had that 3-game stretch against the Chiefs, Eagles, and Bucs where we played some competitive football. But you go outside of that stretch: 37 to the Saints, 23 to the Chargers, 10 to the Bengals, 26 to the Bears, 33 to the Commanders, 14 to the Broncos, 16 to the Cowboys, 34 to the Bucs.

When the Panthers lose, they typically lose by double digits. This has been a betting trend for the last two years. It’s a fair line. Because if you think the Panthers are gonna cover, you are better off just taking the ML based off precedent.

The goatee gives it away. 100% Na'il Diggs.

A flea flicker in the redzone LMAOO

Surprised? I wouldn't be surprised. I think you are missing my point. I'm not saying the Panthers won't extend Bryce. I'm just saying that decision won't be based off one game. This game is not going to decide if Bryce is released or given a 5-year deal. Like, those are crazy extremes. The people who will be surprised are those who think the Panthers losing this week will automatically mean Bryce is gone in the offseason or won't be starting again for us next year, since that seems to be the only reason people are wanting them to lose. Which is why I think it is silly to be rooting for that. Because we can all pretend we know what the FO is thinking, but we don't. So why not just enjoy the moment and the possibility of hosting a playoff game? Like, what's the point of being a fan of the team if we can't even enjoy moments like this? Just because of something that MIGHT happen in the offseason?

So like I said, you are basing this off nothing but conjecture. You don't know the teams intentions. You are getting yourself worked up over assumptions. The idea that the difference between Bryce being released in the offseason or being given a 5-year extension is one NFL game is silly. I don't think it is grounded in reality whatsoever. If the team plans to give Bryce a 5-year contract, it's going to happen regardless of how Saturday goes.

But this is just illogical. We haven't made the playoffs since 2017 and it has done nothing to get us any closer to being a contender. Like how could losing on Saturday possibly increase our chances of being a perpetual contender? We still need to find a long-term answer at QB, and have we not seen how difficult that is? All your concerns are just conjecture-based. You don't know what the FO is thinking. You don't know if any moves in the offseason will be difference based off us making the playoffs vs not. For all you know, Bryce could play like crap this week, we lose by 30, and he's still the starting QB in 2026. And if the team is as committed to Bryce as some of you claim they are, then one week isn't going to change that.

That could play a role, but it is just tough for WRs to get inducted. There is always a backlog. It is crazy to me that Torry Holt, who retired in 2009, still isn't in. Even Cris Carter had to wait a long time. I do think Smith will make it in one day but it could be some time.

Atlanta Falcons for sure.

Acknowledging that we aren't a good team vs actively rooting for them to get destroyed and not make the playoffs are two entirely different things. Yes, Panthers aren't good. Yes, we likely won't go far in the playoffs. But why would you rather see your favorite team not even have the opportunity? Who is to say we have another chance at making the playoffs for the next 10 years? Jets haven't made the playoffs since 2010! Think about that. All of you keep focusing on unknowns and whatnot. Here is the biggest unknown: we don't know when we will have another chance. It could be 2035. It could be 2040. Let that sink in for a moment. Yet, instead of wanting to capitalize on the opportunity, you want to see the team get beat down. And for what? Because MAYBE we move on from Bryce Young? And what will you do if that doesn't happen anyway? What would we have gained from missing the playoffs then? And look, I'm not trying to sound holier-than-thou. Not trying to demean you as a fan or anything like that. But just try to enjoy the moment because it could be a long time, as sad it sounds, before we are in this position again. You just don't know. And if you don't believe me, go find a Jets fan. Go find a Browns fan. Go find a Lions fan from the mid 90s-2010s. Go find a Dolphins fan.

How could anyone possibly know this? We have missed the playoffs for how many years now, and what has that gotten us? I'm not going to pretend like I know what the FO is going to do 3-4 months from now. What I do know is the NFL season is extremely short, and the opportunity to see my favorite team host a playoff game for the first time in 10 years is something I want to see. And it stuns me that there are Panthers fan who don't want to see that. And again, to each their own - but I think some of you are focusing way too much on unknowns. Do we really think, if this FO has any intentions of moving on from Bryce Young, that one game is about to make the difference with that? Like, come on now. In all likelihood, they have already made a decision. I just think people should try and just enjoy the moment more. The NFL changes fast. Who says we don't go another 7-10 years after this without making the playoffs?

2009 Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall Marshall was such a stud that season. So inconsistent otherwise.