Let's Talk Jacksonville Week 1

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

I know it is early but I need some football in my life. Rosters aren't set and depth charts will change quite a bit between now and then but we should be able to discuss the game a bit and the key personnel in this match-up. 

I actually really like the roster they are building down in Jacksonville. The receiver group is talented but awfully young and inexperienced by NFL standards. I'm not sure how much of a product he was of Peyton, but Julius Thomas has some game. TJ Yeldon, Denard Robinson, and Storm Johnson is young group of backs with considerable upside. They have invested some early picks in the offensive line but that unit has struggled quite a bit if I recall. Parnell should bring some consistency to the right side of the line and Brandon Linder had a solid rookie year at guard. I didn't get to watch a whole lot of Blake Bortles last season but his stats at first glance leave a lot to be desired. 

On the defensive side of the ball safety Jonathan Cyprien led the team in tackles and Sen'Derrick Marks and Chris Clemons tallied 8.5 and 8.0 sacks, respectively. The loss of 3rd overall pick Dante Fowler really hurts a defense desperate for a consistent pass rush. The Jaguars struggled to create turnovers and allowed almost 26 points a game last season. They focussed much of their free agency bringing in some quality defensive talent in Jared Odrick, Davon House, Dan Skuta, and Sergio Brown. I expect the defense to be an average defensive unit by season's end but it may take them some time to gel early on.

I look for Carolina to establish a run game early and stop the run defensively. I don't see Yeldon, Robinson, and Johnson having much luck against our front seven and Bortles should struggle if his line play is at all similar to last season, despite the additions. We need to get up early and force Bortles to throw the ball down the field, allowing our defense to pit their ears back and get after him. Carolina must contain Bortles' legs when the pocket collapses and keep him from making plays with his legs to pick up crucial first downs. In a hot climate on the road week one, Carolina will need to protect the football and keep the defense fresh. I see us winning the field position battle and ultimately a healthy Cam Newton, Jonathan Stewart, Greg Olsen, and Kelvin Benjamin will be too much for a young Jaguars team that may take a few weeks to find itself. I suspect it will be a long day for the Jaguars offense if they cannot establish a running game early. EARLY/USELESS PREDICTION: Carolina 27 Jacksonville 13. 

[bigskypanthersguy]

I'm torn...my brother's a Jags fan and I don't wish them ill will, but it'd be nice to repeat 2013 and start out strong.

[Mr. Scot]

I'd like a repeat of another year ending in '3' where we also played Jacksonville in week one, but with a better ending to the season.

[FuFuLamePoo]

they are garbage lol we should be able to make this one as bad as we want to

[janderson20vt]

It would be absolutely embarrassing to lose to jax to start the season. We just have so much more talent. I know it sounds stupid to call the first game of the year a must win but we really shouldn't be losing to any AFC South team not named Indy. Can't really afford to.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

We're going to destroy them.

[PanthersAlv]

Well, with the large number of Panthers fans that will be attending with Roaring Riot's crew, I hope they can make some noise and make it feel like a Home Game for the Panthers.

The Jag's kinda remind me of Arizona... they are so close to making a move forward, then something just makes it so they can't.

Nothing against them, but here's hope'n they are still a move or so behind making that move forward.

[PhillyB]

i think we absolutely abuse them and everyone on the huddle overreacts and thinks we're going 16-0

[R0CKnR0LLA]

34-3, I'm calling it now

[PhillyB]

it'll be a thrashing. 4-0 at the bye IMO

[Jangler]

We're going to destroy them.

We have to destroy them. I think Jacksonville is better than people think, but they will have to wait a week.

116-6 Panthers 

[janderson20vt]

it'll be a thrashing. 4-0 at the bye IMO

4-0 looks really possible. Hope we come on swinging because its very doable.

[pantherfan49]

This will be the first game of the year where an unprepared Ron Rivera team loses to a lesser team. 

 

Ever seen Rivera's record after a bye week?  Yeah, the offseason is one really long bye week. 

 

I kid. I kid. We are gonna crush that young team. The defense is gonna have their way with Bortles during the game. After the game, Cam is going to have his way with Bortles' girlfriend.  

[Jeremy Igo]

The Panthers defeated the Bucs last season for the home opener in Tampa without Cam Newton. 

 

Pretty sure they can defeat Jacksonville, but its not a given. Jacksonville is hit or miss.