There is a Big Misconception Going Around Right Now

[Jakob]

While it's understandable with Benjamin's injury and the recent play from wide receivers, some fans are in a state of melancholia. Given that these recent events will without a doubt hinder the Panthers offense, I keep hearing that that "We might not make the playoffs anymore" yet I also hear "8 wins is good enough to win the division" While 8-9 wins might win the division, that should be an easy feat for the Panthers, given our defense and schedule...

Using Bleacher Report's latest Power rankings we play the bottom 18-32 teams 11 times this year. at Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans, at Tampa Bay, at Tennessee, Washington, at New Orleans, Atlanta, at New York, at Atlanta and Tampa Bay. That's 11 teams that I feel confident in saying we can and should beat. New Orleans and Atlanta will be tough at home, but we all know what happened when we traveled to their houses last year. We might have a hard time with NYG and the Texans DL, but we should be able ride our defense to victories. This leaves the Panthers with 5 very challenging games. at Seattle, Eagles, Colts, Packers, at Dallas. We are very lucky to catch these 3 of these 5 teams at home. We are long overdue for a victory against the Hawks and the Eagles are resting their season on Sam Bradford's glass knees. We get at least two victories out of that group.

It almost seems foolish to say the Panthers couldn't ride their defense and strong running game to a 10-11 win season, perhaps even more if a wide receiver such as Devin Funchess is to emerge as a reliable threat. I'm doing nothing more than stating facts to the non-reactionary crowd, but many of the people on the forum need to understand this. You all need to stop acting like the sky is falling and put a little optimism in your cargo shorts.

 

[motocross_cat]

We are going to take seattle to the woodshed.

I can feel it in my cargo shorts.

[Wundrbread33]

While it's understandable with Benjamin's injury and the recent play from wide receivers, some fans are in a state of melancholia. Given that these recent events will without a doubt hinder the Panthers offense, I keep hearing that that "We might not make the playoffs anymore" yet I also hear "8 wins is good enough to win the division" While 8-9 wins might win the division, that should be an easy feat for the Panthers, given our defense and schedule...

Using Bleacher Report's latest Power rankings we play the bottom 18-32 teams 11 times this year. at Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans, at Tampa Bay, at Tennessee, Washington, at New Orleans, Atlanta, at New York, at Atlanta and Tampa Bay. That's 11 teams that I feel confident in saying we can and should beat. New Orleans and Atlanta will be tough at home, but we all know what happened when we traveled to their houses last year. We might have a hard time with NYG and the Texans DL, but we should be able ride our defense to victories. This leaves the Panthers with 5 very challenging games. at Seattle, Eagles, Colts, Packers, at Dallas. We are very lucky to catch these 3 of these 5 teams at home. We are long overdue for a victory against the Hawks and the Eagles are resting their season on Sam Bradford's glass knees. We get at least two victories out of that group.

It almost seems foolish to say the Panthers couldn't ride their defense and strong running game to a 10-11 win season, perhaps even more if a wide receiver such as Devin Funchess is to emerge as a reliable threat. I'm doing nothing more than stating facts to the non-reactionary crowd, but many of the people on the forum need to understand this. You all need to stop acting like the sky is falling and put a little optimism in your cargo shorts.

 

I'm sure you will get blasted in here for not being a pessimist...err..."realist", but I at least wanted to say that I agree with you.

[Cuttinedge]

I truly hope your prediction comes true. It's time for some breaks to go our way.

This years defense looks good enough to win a lot of games. Been particularly impressed with our DBs and safetys. ( we improved a lot from last year on the backend)  LBs great as always and we get our starting DTs back we could have a record breaking D

[Jackofalltrades]

We are going to take seattle to the woodshed.

I can feel it in my cargo shorts.

[OceanPanther]

While it's understandable with Benjamin's injury and the recent play from wide receivers, some fans are in a state of melancholia. Given that these recent events will without a doubt hinder the Panthers offense, I keep hearing that that "We might not make the playoffs anymore" yet I also hear "8 wins is good enough to win the division" While 8-9 wins might win the division, that should be an easy feat for the Panthers, given our defense and schedule...

Using Bleacher Report's latest Power rankings we play the bottom 18-32 teams 11 times this year. at Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans, at Tampa Bay, at Tennessee, Washington, at New Orleans, Atlanta, at New York, at Atlanta and Tampa Bay. That's 11 teams that I feel confident in saying we can and should beat. New Orleans and Atlanta will be tough at home, but we all know what happened when we traveled to their houses last year. We might have a hard time with NYG and the Texans DL, but we should be able ride our defense to victories. This leaves the Panthers with 5 very challenging games. at Seattle, Eagles, Colts, Packers, at Dallas. We are very lucky to catch these 3 of these 5 teams at home. We are long overdue for a victory against the Hawks and the Eagles are resting their season on Sam Bradford's glass knees. We get at least two victories out of that group.

It almost seems foolish to say the Panthers couldn't ride their defense and strong running game to a 10-11 win season, perhaps even more if a wide receiver such as Devin Funchess is to emerge as a reliable threat. I'm doing nothing more than stating facts to the non-reactionary crowd, but many of the people on the forum need to understand this. You all need to stop acting like the sky is falling and put a little optimism in your cargo shorts.

 

so it is written, so it shall be . 11-5 

[top dawg]

First of all,  we just need to wait and see what happens. Just like every year.  We really won't know what we're dealing with until probably about three to four weeks in. Secondly,  even if we can win the division,  we still have to have the personnel to beat the elite to make it to the top.  And that's the ultimate goal.  With a defense like ours, assuming it is what we think it is,  the window doesn't stay open forever. With older vets like Peanut and Dwan,  and guys like Star and KK being wooed by other teams in the next couple of years,  we need to balance this team so that we can make a real run,  not just rely on the philosophy that anything can happen if we just get into the mix. 

[tondi]

I think most would agree that 11-12 wins COULD happen if everything breaks right but since that rarely happens folks who think we will fall a couple games short of that aren't being negative or reactionary.  Hope the season does play out your way, however.

[bleys]

Strong run game?   I hope by the season starts.... 

[caatfan]

Strong run game?   I hope by the season starts.... 

Yeah I was gonna say we haven't seen any evidence of that yet, at least not against 1st string D's.

[Jangler]

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[Snake]

Hey I will take this positive thinking over the 1000 Debbie downer post any day. 

[CoastalCat]

Using Bleacher Report's latest Power rankings we play the bottom 18-32 teams 11 times this year. at Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans, at Tampa Bay, at Tennessee, Washington, at New Orleans, Atlanta, at New York, at Atlanta and Tampa Bay. That's 11 teams that I feel confident in saying we can and should beat.

Did Houston finish below 18? I thought they just missed the playoffs at 9-7. I wouldn't take them, Atlanta, or New Orleans for granted this season. 

[Kevin Greene]