How do you not go into this game thinking the panthers will win?

[Francis J. Underwood]

After watching this entire season unfold, as I am sure all of us have, answer the question in the topic header.

 

This team went into the playoffs at 7-8-1 and had to win all it's final 4 games just for the opportunity, previous 12 games (3-8-1). They have beaten all opponents with excellent play from the defense, offensive line and running game these final 5 games. In the previous 12 games, these same positions were heavily criticized for their lackluster performances. The additions in the draft and the off season by non other than Dave Gettleman finally bore fruit when Ron Rivera, who had been preparing these guys all season in practice behind more veteran players, decided to put them in the starting roles. Yes they are rookies and free agents that haven't played much in this league, this can mean that they could be out of position by not make correct reads and adjustments but this is also their strength as they have much more in the tank (stamina) than the older veterans whom they are replacing.

 

Let us thank these players for their contributions this season to get us where we are today, in no particular order;

- Kelvin Benjamin

- Kony Ealy

- Trai Turner

- Tre Boston

- Bene Benwikere

- Josh Norman

- Mike Remmers

- Andrew Norwell

- Fozzy Whittaker

- Adarius Glanton

- Philly Brown

 

It is the play of these men that have allowed our team to have made such as massive turnaround and lead us to the playoffs. Most of these players Dave Gettleman and the rest of the scouting department have been able to sign just this past offseason. That is an incredible offseason to amass this many difference makers aside from the "pro-bowlers" we already have on this team.

 

I said all that to say this, even though we are playing the defending super bowl champion seattle seahawks in their home stadium, I can not allow myself, who is an avid fan of this team, to think that the seahawks will win this game. The seahawks are a very good, talented and cohesive team. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging those facts, but I must believe that my team will win this game. There is no benefit for me to think the opposite, cause when we win, I lose out on the opportunity to be a believer and instead am an on-the-fringe supporter. If we lose, where is the pay off? Would I say something like "Oh, I was right about my team that they were not good enough to win". How can that be enjoyable? 

 

People can say that fans like me are "homers", I don't give a poo. I want to believe that there is more to this game then just the raw numbers, and there is, just ask any NFL player. You can't just predict who will win a game just on history alone. Upsets happen all the time, things don't always happen the way you practice them. Those who are more analytical will say "that these games are just the outliers, and overall, our method makes us money".

 

The phrase "Any given Sunday" is what I believe in. On any given sunday, teams that look polished and well put together can lose due to a variety of different factors including; player health, player match-ups, coaching schemes, play execution, play familiarity, weather and a host of other things you guys can think of. The phrase to me means that if 2 teams were to play 10 times, most teams in this league would not be swept and lose all 10 times, unless clear talent disadvantage is there. You see this in division match-ups where most of the time the division is up for grabs, no one team dominates for like a decade, again Patriots notwithstanding. 

 

So given this common ground, how many people are still with me?!!! .......

 

P.S. This came out way longer than I intended, LOL.

[Mojo]

It's hard to win in the NFL as is. Especially in the playoffs against an elite team in their house. I just hope we play well. I would love for us to win but I'm not blind to what a difficult task it will be. I do believe they can be beaten and we are a team that can do it.

[panthers55]

I don't need a whole page to justify why I want to win and or explain why I think we will. I think we will be the better team and will win the game. It is simple. If I didn't think that I wouldn't watch the game.

[KintnerBoy]

My wife says I'm a very negative person. So there ya go.

[CharlottePanther]

I just went and looked up some info on the Giants SB run in 2012. They where a WC team, when they went to Lambeu to play the Packers in the playoffs that year, the Packers where -9 pt favorites, the game was AT Lambeu field in Jan which is just as bad as Seattle at home, 9 degree weather.

The Packers that year where absloutley incredible, 15-1, they also where the defending SB champs, coming in as -9 pt underdogs the Giants won.. By 17 pts.

I beleive in the SB hangover and I get the feeling the Seahawks are going to come in flat as hell after the bye

[VerticalThreat]

It doesn't matter whether I think we'll win or not. Do I hope we win? Hell yes.

More than anything, I hope our team plays the way they're capable. I hope they "Keep Pounding". On every single play. On offense. On defense. On Special teams. I hope they do the little things. I hope they take advantage of opportunities that present themselves and limit the opportunities for the Seahawks then let the chips fall where they may.

That's all I can ask. Either way, this team will "Keep Pounding" like they always do.

[mc52beast]

We have as good a chance at winning in Seattle as the Cowboys or Packers... but saying that we can win based on beating sub-par teams the last 5 weeks is stretching it.

[stankowalski]

I'm not worried about our offense or defense...I think we match up well on both fronts.  Special teams is what worries me, and makes me think we're not going to win.  As I've said in other threads, if we can play well on special teams we have a legit shot.

[PanthersClinic]

I think we have a chance but it'll take some luck. Biggest concerns for me are Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin. We need a passing game and a QB needs to have chemistry with his number one. You can't have the QB overthrowing or the #1 dropping the pass every time.

Last year New Orleans came out really flat against Seattle. They missed two field goals in the game and ended up losing. Carolina needs a good week of practice and to come out aggressive.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Pretty sure they're 22-2 since 2012 at home. That's how.

[propagandamachine]

What Sub par teams : New Orleans , Saints and Atlanta offenses terrorized teams in the AFC.

This team is battle tested and our maturity and Cams Grit has been questioned.

This reminds me of the game john Gruden was talking about - remember that Tampa vs Carolina where we ran for 300 yards or something.

SAME FEELING ON THIS ONE :

We're creeping up on some unsuspecting opponents and media who are looking at 8 - 8 - 1.

Ask Arizona who I think currently have one of the best coaches in Bruce Arians.

[gettlemanjack]

some of our fans are acting like we're the Raiders. "Oh it's going to be tough but if all breaks go our way and we play a perfect game then we have a chance." And the Raiders went to SEA and only lost 24-30 this year! The Raiders. They are 3-13

We're going to give SEA hell. The S-birds better be ready or they're going to get their butts kicked