Are we Super Bowl contenders this year?

[Smith vs Lucas]

From everything to ESPN to Bleacher Report believes the Carolina Panthers and Riverboat Ron have no chance to even make the playoffs this year, let alone win the Super Bowl.

I know... I know we have no LT, our WRs smell funny, and everyone calls our secondary the legion of whom?. Seriously though. Is the fan base the only people in the world that believes in this team? We had some controversial moves this offseason by letting Steve Smith go, but it had to be done for future considerations. We dealt with or should I say still dealing with the Hardy fiasco. Hopefully this will not be a cancer in the locker room this year.

We all saw a huge leap by Cam Newton and Rob Rivera last year and I think we are going to see a upward trend from this team this season. Who cares if ESPN can't name one of our WRs right now, but on opening day they will know who we are. I am tired of every article putting the panthers last in a division they dominated a season ago. Can't wait for this team to come out hungry and show the world what the Panthers are all about! Is it football season yet?!? KEEP POUNDING!

[Khaki Lackey]

We will:

1.) Have our first back to back winning seasons

B.) become the first NFCS team to win the division in consecutive seasons since conference realignment

III.) win a playoff game

Sorry, but you'll have to wait until 2015/16 for a Super Bowl celebration. I think we have one more offseason to go before we're at that level.

[Peppers90 NC]

some or most doesnt mean everybody.  we will need some big breaks or break out players to be SB contenders.

[top dawg]

If we find another big-play WR among the 90 or in FA, then perhaps. 

[Mark S]

It's like this every offseason and personally I love it. We won't get recognized as a good team until mid-season

[Arroz con Panther]

I hope so....I have some money out in Vegas saying that we do.

[Mr. Scot]

Playoffs are possible, though it won't be an easy road. No guarantees, for sure.

Super Bowl though? Uuuuhh, hmmmm...Pretty big stretch for me right now.

You'd have to talk me into that.

[cptx]

If they make the playoffs, that makes them a contender. Simple as that, anything can happen.

[OriginalPanther]

I drink the kool-aid when it comes to this team. I will be the first to admit that. But in all honesty it's a 16 game season and a lot could happen. Not to mention the fact that we have a bunch of hungry guys on this team, a top 5 QB, and a monster defensive front 7. Anything could happen!

[LinvilleGorge]

We'll see.  On average there's a 50% turnover for NFL playoff teams season to season.  There's always some teams that suck that were supposed to be good and some teams that are good that were supposed to suck.  Virtually everyone picked the Texans to win their division last year and they ended up with the #1 overall pick while virtually no one picked us to win our division and we did while going 12-4.

[PantherWake]

We need a good oline play this year and/or KB to be the #1 receiver we all want him to be for us to be Super Bowl contenders.

 

I'm honestly just hoping for a winning season.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

I think contending means a lock to make the playoffs, which I don't think we are. I hope get in, but it's far from a sure thing.

[Galvatron]

If the OL gels and plays effectively, absolutely. They are the biggest factor in their success this year!

[Ruff]

I don't think we could win the Super Bowl this year. A playoff game or two, absolutely.