Panthers VS Chiefs: Five Fearless Predictions + Score

[Saca312]

The weekend is finally upon us, and football Sunday is drawing ever so nearer. After reflection and consideration for our veterans and the brave sacrifices that come with such work, the Panthers awaken to heat up the stadium as they face the Chiefs in Charlotte.

With it comes a Panther attack in hopes of being able to advance to 4-5, and pave the road for a playoff berth.

Based on match-ups and logistics, I've come up with five solid, yet bold predictions this Sunday. Some may prove to be quite out of the ordinary for you, but that is to be expected. Some may look familiar to some matchups I alluded to before in another article, some totally new ideas.

Here are five things I believe will occur, and what you need to watch for:

1. LB Dee Ford Will Have 0 Sacks Against RT Daryl Williams

Yes. I'm starting off bold. The guy who leads the Chiefs in sacks with 9 so far, while the rest only have 7 total, will remain sackless this game. 

The guy who was praised and considered to be an upcoming "elite pass rusher" by old players and analysts alike.

The only pass rushing option the Chiefs really have in their arsenal will be shut out. By a "back-up" right tackle.

No, I'm not on crack. Yes, I believe I have a mentally stable mind.

So hear me out. I personally believe our O-line has gone against better pass rushers in Chandler Jones and Golden from the Cardinals. They were both held off really well, so the fact the Chiefs only has one real pass rusher is something to note.

Dee Ford lines up primarily against the RT, from what I've seen. I don't think he'd do particularly well on the other side to exploit Remmers, which is a lot like Ealy's issue this year. So, that's a matchup I favor.

In my other article, I mention this as a potential match-up to watch, which it really is. Williams has been solid throughout his play, earning really high PFF ratings lately. He once was considered the top tackle heading into 2015.

In my opinion, Daryl has all but solidified the starting bid at RT. He'd been consistent, and miles better than Remmers. I see him effectively leaving all doubt behind for the coaches, and prove he is starter caliber instead of Remmers. 

With this matchup, he has a chance to prove he can deal against the league's upcoming elite pass rusher, and I think he will do phenomenal.

2. Carolina Will Have 200 Yards Total Rushing Yards

Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart make a scary combination. They both got the size and athleticism to wreck havoc on defenses with their run. They're such hard and powerful runners, they literally gain yards out of nothing, and earn every speck of it.

Consider the fact Cam Newton's supposed to be a QB, and that's where it gets amazing.

The Chiefs currently are graded as 25th in the league against the run, giving up about 170+ points on average to runners. They go against arguably some of the best guards in the league, and (most likey) a solid backup in Gino. This does not look well on paper.

Add the fact you have a QB that can run, a RB that can plow through steel, and a FB who, as far as he regressed, still is a decent threat to do stuff. Accounting for these 3 will be tough for any defensive coordinator period.

This all adds up for a recipe of 200+ rushing yards. Jonathan Stewart breaks out for 150 yards at least, and Cam gets at least 50 yards from running. Panthers will feature a run heavy offense that will help tire the defense out, and try and make some sprinkle passes here and there. 

Cam's numbers won't be eye popping this game, as he'll be running and running and running. Test that 25th ranked run defense out, show them what it's like to go against an elite run focused offense. 

Definitely does not bode well for them at all.

3. Our Defense Gets At Least 6 Sacks, and KK will get 3

QB Alex Smith, meet KK Short. 

He's due for a contract soon. He wants it real bad. You know what that means, don't you?

Kawann Short is due for a breakout game. He has a contract coming up next year, and what better time to do it than when offenses focus on Star and Addison, leaving him and CJ/Ealy to feast?

Considering the fact the Panthers recently have had success with Addison and Star being huge threats, expect KK to be "slightly forgotten" and watch Alex Smith get flattened to a Keenum pancake. 

Recently, our front has awakened. It has grabbed a total of 12 sacks in two games. That's really impressive.

The Chiefs have 7 total sacks when you take out Dee Ford. For the whole year. That's saying something.

The Chiefs have a mediocre O-line, ranked 25th through week 5 by PFF this season. They live on because Alex Smith has somehow managed to escape and keep the game rolling through the boring passes. 

It's been working so far, but how will it work when you got a ton of hungry, angry defensive players right at you?

I believe KK gets 3 sacks this game, repeating Star's breakout performance against the Cardinals at home. He'll come out hungry, and ready to feast. The rest of the defense will follow suit, whether through blitz', or raw power.

The Panthers will solidify the fact they have some of the best DTs in the league, and keep the Chiefs at bay.

Expect complimentary Smith flops to go with your Keenum supreme pancakes from IHOP on monday.

4. RB Spencer Ware Will Only Run 40 Yards Max

The Panthers have the 3rd best run defense in the league. Oh no, I'm not talking about the last 2 games. It's been consistently good.

Aside from the season opener where CJ Anderson broke off, the Panthers have been doing really well in that area. In fact, if you eliminate the season opener's performance, one could argue the Panthers have the best run defense in the league.

Recently, the Panthers have held RB David Johnson to 24 total rushing yards, and RB Gurley to less than 50 after a bye. These aren't your two average JV RBs. These two have been elites that have been shut down, with David Johnson arguably being the best RB in the league right now.

That's saying something.

RB Spencer Ware has emerged as a methodical, but solid runner. He's been doing amazing lately, wracking up good RB points for my fantasy team as a flex RB option, but I'll have him benched this week.

The Panthers run defense has arguably faced better runningbacks, and won. Even with the Rams poor O-line that makes the  Seahawks look like the Cowboys, Todd Gurley is an elite RB who's shown flashes of his former self that game. David Johnson is by far the best RB in the league right now, and his offensive line isn't that bad. The Panthers were able to make him a huge non-factor for the most part that game.

Spencer Ware is good, just not that good. Add the fact he has a history of fumbling, and it doesn't spell good for the Chiefs. He will be negated and become a non-factor, crippling Smith the safe options he so desires. Not looking good at all for the Chiefs offense.

5. QB Cam Newton Will NOT Throw An Interception

Yes, I'm serious. Yes, I do know the Chiefs have a +13 turnover differential. Yes, I know that team feasts on turnovers, and we've had issues with that in the past.

However, we have not had that problem after the bye, and we have the reigning league MVP at QB.

Consider for a moment that Cam will have way more time in the pocket. With Williams negating Ford for most of the game, Chiefs really don't have much pass rushers, and Cam's one of the best at picking up the blitz. 

Add in the fact we'll be running a lot and making the Chiefs tired, and we're a dangerous running and passing offense for the Chiefs

Cam lately has looked inaccurate. Many passes have been overthrown, underthrown, or way off its mark. Some may say he's lost his key signature MVP touch. Certainly looks like it at first glance.

However, it's not a new problem. He's had his QB rating drop tremendously last season when this occurred. He's been consistently pressured by good teams with tremendous front talent. It's expected he won't have an easy day with Remmers at LT and a backup C, and when you can't get the run going.

Cam will have more time this time, as he'll be able to run the ball, negate the rush, and then throw the ball. He'll be making plays that keep the offense going, and expose that 25th ranked run defense.

Once the defense gets tired, that's when he does his aerial attack.

Their cornerbacks can be beaten by raw speed. Expect Ginn to have some 2015 like plays, as he sprints down the field to...drop the ball. Then watch him rebound and come up with eye popping plays that make you wonder how he's not a future HoFer. 

Their CBs are also small. Expect Benji and Funchesd to abuse them and grab those balls with their size. That'll be a huge factor considering they got some opportunistic defenders.

TE Greg Olsen may not shine as much, as he's going against arguably one of the best defenses at covering TEs lately, but he's still an elite TE. He's always an option can look for.

Cam will expose the defense, and show the league why he's the reigning MVP. He will pull the chains, and trudge the Panthers to a playoff berth through a near solid and perfect game.

Outcome:

Considering all the factors, expect the Panthers to come off to a slow, but soon rapid start, as they run the ball, then throw daggers. I expect a pretty big lead at first, as we should expect from our explosive offense.

The Panthers will soon allow the Chiefs to make some plays, considering our bad history of closing out games, but we will still prevail. Expect a decent high scoring game from both sides, with Chiefs mainly getting points during garbage time and the 4Q.

Prediction: 38-24

Panthers move on to 4-5

Other Posts of Mine on the Chiefs:

 

 

[PhillyB]

hard fought game, convincing win with a key turnover forced by the defensive line and an opportunistic offense. panthers go 4-5 and saints fans start pooping a little bit.

[shaka]

25 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Expect Ginn to have some 2015 like plays, as he sprints down the field to...drop the ball.

Said it before, I'll say it again.  I'm really appreciating your contributions to the site, keep up the good work. 

[Kakarot]

KK is my guy. I hope he has a 3 sack game

[Hoenheim]

These threads are always overly optimistic, basically predicting everything will go perfectly on Sunday. I always hope for the best but I never make crazy predictions like that ..  

[iBBB]

7 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

These threads are always overly optimistic, basically predicting everything will go perfectly on Sunday. I always hope for the best but I never make crazy predictions like that ..  

Why be realistic-deborah ? 

Fug it, you don't get huddle-cred in either case, so might as well have some fun with the predictions

[pantherj]

Cam versus man to man defense? Well when DBs turn their back on Cam it sure makes it a lot easier to take off and run. I would expect big rushing yards from Cam, but the passing might be a bit troublesome. Need to rely on Olsen and throw high to KB. Should be a fun game.

[ClawOn]

Yea 0% stew goes for 150. 70 and 2 tds = win though. 

[GoobyPls]

38-24? LOL

 

Ted Ginn is needs to have a big game to even sniff that number

[t96]

We win this game but that main thing I'm going to predict is that Cam does not throw a single interception after the bye this year. That's 8 more games without a pick after having none the past two since the bye. Would be good for his longest streak of games without a pick and would keep his total on the year at 6, his lowest in a year by nearly half of his previous lowest of 10 last year. Oh and also, we go undefeated in those games. Time for Cam to take over like last year and with the resurgent defense we're going to be the best team in the league the rest of the year.

[Randolph Panther]

If we can get back to 5-5 I really like our chances of hitting the playoffs.

[Saca312]

10 hours ago, Hoenheim said:

These threads are always overly optimistic, basically predicting everything will go perfectly on Sunday. I always hope for the best but I never make crazy predictions like that ..  

Well I do, hence the word "fearless"

Heck if everything were logical then Trump wouldn't be president right now.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Bold predictions. Cam Throws a TD to 4 different receivers. (KB, Olsen, Ginn, Funchess.)

 

Stewart runs for 120+ yards and a TD.

Secondary starts being cohesive and picks off Alex Smith 3 times, twice by our rookies.

Gano makes all his FG.  (MOFUKIN bold right here.)

Luke has a field day with 17 Tackles, 1 FF, 1 sack. 

 

 

 

[Jangler]

10 hours ago, Hoenheim said:

These threads are always overly optimistic, basically predicting everything will go perfectly on Sunday. I always hope for the best but I never make crazy predictions like that ..  

I get it. I still don't have fix on the team, I think most of us don't. Defense starting to jell, looking good. 

Single mindedness KC, KC...