Distractions.

[thefuzz]

We are starting to pile them up, and it's making me nervous.

 

1:  And the biggest one IMO...14-0 and chasing perfection.

2:  The Pro-Bowl voting, and 10 of our players getting voted in.

3:  This crap with OBJ.  I was saying during the game that this may have a hangover effect, it keeps 1 or more of our best players from being totally focused on the next opponent, much like what happened at the end of the game.

 

Maybe I'm just a nervous Nancy, or a pessimist, or whatever....but this is the best Panther team we have ever seen, and I hope that RR can keep these guys on the right track.

 

[The Huddler]

We will be fine. There will always be that kind of pressure and circumstances when we are perenial winners. Gotta learn

[TheRed]

I can see your argument.

But here is the problem. Fans, and the media are the ones making a big deal out of 2 of the 3 things you listed.

As for the 1st, our own players have stated numerous times that they are using the one game at a time mentality, and have all season.

[Lemory]

Ron and the players are preaching one game at a time. I dont really see us losing to a terrible Falcons team or the Bucs at home. Im more worried of that 1st round bye in the playoffs and potentially playing the Seahawks. 

[TheRumGone]

It's a concern but at this point and with all the distractions that have happened during the season gotta keep faith in Rivera and the captains to keep these guys focused

[thefuzz]

8 minutes ago, TheRed said:

I can see your argument.

But here is the problem. Fans, and the media are the ones making a big deal out of 2 of the 3 things you listed.

As for the 1st, our own players have stated numerous times that they are using the one game at a time mentality, and have all season.

Oh, I think that we are the best team in the league right now, with the Steelers and Hawks not far behind....just pointing out what I'm worried about.  I'm not as concerned about injuries as most...that's just a part of the game, but the distractions do make me nervous.

 

As to the one game at a time....every single team in the league says, practices, and "thinks" that way...but they rarely can pull it off.

[bleys]

1st 2 don't really seem like distractions to me. 

Due to the Giants debacle in the 4th I would hope the defense is actually MORE focused after only giving up 14 points through 3 quarters. 

And we know Cam was pissed they even had to kick a FG to win.   I believe he's our motivating factor game in and game out. 

But that's why they play the game.   We'll have to see which way this plays out. 

[Cary Kollins]

With nearly any other team I might be worried, but we got the GOAT leading this ship.

[bigdog10]

I guess I have a different view point on everything that is happening, but I don't view all these things as distractions.  I view them as opportunities to create a laser focus on the ultimate prize of a championship.

14-0:  This should be embraced by this team.  Only four teams in NFL History have ever started 14-0 and the 2015 Carolina Panthers are one of them.  

10 Pro Bowlers:  Great Players on Great Teams are to be rewarded with honors like this.  I don't think this is a distraction at all.  If anything, this is an opportunity to light a fire under the guys who didn't make the pro bowl (especially the young guys....i.e. Ealy, Star, Shaq, and Norwell).  Each of those four guys will be critical to the success of any playoff run we make and hopefully them seeing thier teammates rewarded for a great season, has them amped up to make a mark in the playoffs.

OBJ thing:  I think this lingers through Sunday and could be a distraction to Norman (especially if the officiating crew is keying in on everything he does).  Other than that, this will die out like every other nonsense story the big boys at ESPN concoct to ensure their ratings are at a level where they need them to be.  This team has enough veteran leadership (with the likes of Davis, Allen, Tillman, Harper, Kalil, and Olsen) to overcome a silly distraction like this.  If Ron plays it right, it also gives him another angle to play in the "US versus the World" mantra that this team embraces.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Hopefully RR and team leaders can continue hitting the right notes, and turn all this attention into fuel for the fire.  Keep proving you belong at the top.

[sr20nc]

i think the team is starting to lose focus a bit, but when you're 14-0 anything can be a distraction.

Hopefully the coaches and players refocus and aims for THE RING.

[tondi]

I kind of think all of this may help keep the team close and focused on doing their job and shutting the fug up out of everyone else.

[Cat]

Am I the only one who thinks the biggest distraction is Christmas and the bad weather? 

[Growl]

Seems like the only people who are bothered by it are the panicky fans. The team is mentally tough and most of the fans I've encountered don't seem phased by it because they know that.