The Way-Too-Early Regular Season Prediction Thread

[Saca312]

The Carolina Panther's regular season schedule has been released. It looks like it'll be a relatively easy schedule, and one we should easily be able to ensure a winning record on. None of the opponents look too overall challenging, and the ones that are look to be nicely spread out for us.

To sum it up:

• Four October Away Games
• Three December Home Games
• Only 2 Prime-Time Games
• Week 11 Bye Week After MNF Game Against Dolphins
• Only 1 Short Schedule In Between Lions and Eagles
• Division Games At Home First
• Only West Coast Game Taken Care Of Week 1

Not that bad of a schedule whatsoever.

The Panthers should expect to be able to field this schedule nicely with their top 3 defense on paper, and with the offense likely getting weapons via the draft, we look stocked and ready to make an impact going right off the bat.

So, without further ado, here's my way-too-early regular season (realistic) prediction thread:

*NOTE: This is under the assumption we're healthy all year, and not screwed over like last year

Week 1 - Panthers @ 49ers

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Panthers will open up to Kyle Shanahan's offense, but a very inept team. Lacking the receivers and offensive weapons to make much of an impact right off the gate, the Panthers should easily be able to contain their offense with one of the best front sevens in the league and a top 10 capable secondary. The Panthers offense should walk through the 49ers defense as if it were a knife in butter and come out with a high score blowout.

Panthers Record: 1-0

Week 2 - Panthers VS Bills

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Buffalo Bills have McDermott now and are likely looking to transition back to a 4-3 defense. This will likely take time to get used to, so don't expect much headache in that area of regard. Offensively, the Bills have many questions, and Fatboi Tolbert isn't going to amount to much. Once again, a high score blowout in our favor.

Panthers Record: 2-0

Week 3 - Panthers VS Saints

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: Not a high scoring game in this regard due to the fact we just seem to be low scoring at home against the Saints, but should be a comfortable win. Everyone knows the Saints are a dome offense, and do take a hit when playing on real turf. Drew Brees may do some damage, but their vertical game should be subdued due to Brees not having the arm Cam was able to produce for Ginn. Their defense isn't something to be scared off after they were unsuccessful in acquiring Butler, and our offense and defense should be able to handle them. Not too much of a high score affair, but a win in our favor.

Panthers Record: 3-0

Week 4 - Panthers @ Patriots

Outcome: Loss

Reasoning: I'd like to say we win, but logic says we'll fall short. The Patriots are the defending SB champions, and have just retooled their offense and defense. Kony Ealy may be playing with a fire in hopes to show against the Panthers they should never have traded him, and their offense is deadly with the amount of weapons Brady has at his disposal. Plus, playing in NE does not help matters. All in all, a likely challenge that we just might not be up for just yet.

Panthers Record: 3-1

Week 5 - Panthers @ Lions

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: Very much could go both ways, but the Lions won't be able to handle our defense. Their defense won't be able to handle our offense. With no answer to their run game as of now, the Lions will have to opt to hope they can beat us through the air, which they will understandably fall short. Our offense should cruise past their defense fine, and we'll come out with a dub.

Panthers Record: 4-1

Week 6 - Panthers VS Eagles

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: Could go both ways yet again, but the Panthers should prevail. Defense should be eating Wentz alive, and our offense should be able to attack their secondary at their weakest points. Another game that should be in our favor at home, and broadcasted on national TV.

Panthers Record: 5-1

Week 7 - Panthers @ Bears

Outcome: Duh. Win

Reasoning: John Fox is done for. The Bears suck. Easy dub.

Panthers Record: 6-1

Week 8 - Panthers @ Buccaneers

Outcome: Loss

Reasoning: Another division game that will be close, but the Bucs may surprisingly prevail. With their revamped offense with Evans and Jackson as legitimate threats, the Panthers will have a tough time containing them. Couple that with a solid Buccaneer defense, and it's looking like a tough pill to swallow. Expect the score to be legitimately close, but the Bucs prevail at home.

Panthers Record: 6-2

Week 9 - Panthers VS Failcons

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Falcons blew a 25 point lead in the Superbowl. 

Panthers Record: 7-2

Week 10 - Panthers VS Dolphins

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Panthers should be able to get by the Dolphins fine. Playing at home, the Panthers should move well past their defense and contain their unstable offense. With the Panthers knack of making good RBs look bad, Ajayi should be shut down fine, and Bradberry will begin hitting that "shut down corner" mode, beginning in this very game. Cam Newton and the offense should easily roll through here and come with a win.

Panthers Record: 8-2

Week 11 - Bye Week

Week 12 - Panthers @ Jets

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: A gimme game. Jets are in full shut-down mode, and may likely have a win-less record at this time. This should continue as the Panthers "turn on the jets" after their restful bye week. Blowout.

Panthers Record: 9-2

Week 13 - Panthers @ Saints

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: Another classic high scoring affair in the dome. Panthers won in 2015 41-38. Panthers lost in 2016 28-41. Notice a pattern? Grab your tinfoil hats, because we're winning yet again.

Panthers Record: 10-2

Week 14 - Panthers VS Vikings

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Panthers have poached pretty much every good Viking player they had. The Vikings have a decent defense, but their offense is one to be desired for. Reminder, Remmers is also their RT. 10+ sacks, with 6 coming thanks to Remmers. Bradford will likely come in the game wrapped all up anyways from the hits Remmers allows to come through, and the Vikings lose as their old teammates smack them hard.

Panthers Record: 11-2

Week 15 - Panthers VS Packers

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Panthers are likely being talked about as one of the biggest juggernauts in the league at this point, and the NFL regrets yet again on why they didn't put more Panther prime-time games. Nevetheless, it's a match-up the Packers wish to not have, as its now Julius Peppers' turn to rile up Aaron Rodgers. Panthers should be able to slice and dice that 7th grade football-level "team" you call a defense straight up, and challenge Aaron Rodgers defensively. Another win for the good-boys at home, with more GB banners taken down by Cam, dabbing all the way.

Panthers Record: 12-2

Week 16 - Panthers VS Buccaneers

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Panthers and Buccaneers will be the clear contenders for the division, as they're both not far behind in record. The Falcons at this point took upon the Panthers Superbowl Curse & Injury bug for the year, as their o-line is in shambles, and key players being rotated in and out of the injury list. The Panthers have already been guaranteed a playoff berth, and have the chance to ensure the Buccaneers don't. The Panthers will come off the season with a squeaky clean home record, and stop the Buccaneers right in their tracks. Although it'll be a high-scoring affair, the Panthers will likely come off victorious.

Panthers Record: 13-2

Week 17 - Panthers @ Artur's Anus

Outcome: Win

Reasoning: The Falcons blew a 25 point lead in the Superbowl

______

Panthers Record: 14-2

______

Achievements (Some May Or May Not Be Realistic):

-Playoff Birth

-Cam Newton MVP Discussion

-Division Winners

-Luke Kuechly DPOY Discussion / Comeback Player Of The Year

-Greg Olsen WPMOY 

-8 Minimum Probowlers

There we go. I'm predicting 14-2 if we're healthy with this schedule, and even more likely with draft picks on the offense side. If we grab a TE and a RB this draft class, and if Byrd/Shepard/Draft Pick pans out as our slot solution, we are one deadly team. 

Realisticly, we could lose 1 more game to the Falcons as well, and our floor is likely 11-5 with possible losses to the Eagles and Lions to add on. 

Even so, I'm predicting a successful year.

State your predictions below!

 

[E CaT PanTHer 2]

agree with your two losses, but i think we'll also lose @ATL and @DET. 

12-4 

[Moorgan]

Just like every year, my prediction is solid: 19-0

[Hoenheim]

13 minutes ago, Moorgan said:

Just like every year, my prediction is solid: 19-0

you must have been going crazy in 2015

[nctarheel0619]

10-6.  

[Hoenheim]

8-8

Is everyone forgetting that Atlanta has won the past 3 games against us?

I see us losing at least one Atlanta game, at least one divisional game, and very possibly lose to the Packers, Patriots, Lions, Vikings, we poo the bed against the eagles in prime time thursday night , and one surprise loss against the 49ers or the Bills at the start of the season. 

[Moorgan]

9 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

you must have been going crazy in 2015

Closest I've ever been to being right. As it was happening, @KB_fan mentioned my prediction...which I think doomed it. I blame her. :D

[firefox1234]

13-3

[Saca312]

16 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

8-8

Is everyone forgetting that Atlanta has won the past 3 games against us?

Is everyone forgetting that they won't be as lucky with near spotless injuries, and that we had a key player injured in every one of those games (Stew in 2 of em; Kuechly in 1, Cam, Bradberry, etc...)

And is everyone forgetting we have a better defense now, and likely a better offense?

[Saca312]

18 minutes ago, nctarheel0619 said:

10-6.  

Can see that as well with a Dolphin surpriser tbh.

[Hoenheim]

1 minute ago, Saca312 said:

Is everyone forgetting that they won't be as lucky with near spotless injuries, and that we had a key player injured in every one of those games (Stew in 2 of em; Kuechly in 1, Cam, Bradberry, etc...)

And is everyone forgetting we have a better defense now, and likely a better offense?

you dont know what we have until you see them play on  the field. We still have all sorts of questions at OT, Cam's shoulder, lack of offensive firepower, old DEs, and young corners with 1 season of experience. 

I think alot of this season is going to really be defendant on health of the team, if Kalil is good, and if we pick up a real offensive weapon in the draft or not. 

[The Huddler]

23 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

8-8

Is everyone forgetting that Atlanta has won the past 3 games against us?

I see us losing at least one Atlanta game, at least one divisional game, and very possibly lose to the Packers, Patriots, Lions, Vikings, we poo the bed against the eagles in prime time thursday night , and one surprise loss against the 49ers or the Bills at the start of the season. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13-3

[The Huddler]

1 minute ago, Hoenheim said:

you dont know what we have until you see them play on  the field. We still have all sorts of questions at OT, Cam's shoulder, lack of offensive firepower, old DEs, and young corners with 1 season of experience. 

I think alot of this season is going to really be defendant on health of the team, if Kalil is good, and if we pick up a real offensive weapon in the draft or not. 

Still have the draft too

[Hoenheim]

3 minutes ago, Hoenheim said:

you dont know what we have until you see them play on  the field. We still have all sorts of questions at OT, Cam's shoulder, lack of offensive firepower, old DEs, and young corners with 1 season of experience. 

I think alot of this season is going to really be defendant on health of the team, if Kalil is good, and if we pick up a real offensive weapon in the draft or not.