ESPN predicts 7.7 wins and a less than 30% of making the playoffs

[panthers55]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26686576/2019-nfl-power-rankings-projected-wins-playoff-chances-1-32?platform=amp

I guess few folks expect Cam back at 100% given when healthy last year we were 6-2 and cruising to the playoffs. Seems they are focusing on how we finished up instead of our potential. I am predicting 11-5 or better. Yeah it is too early but what else is going on?

[bleedsgreenandgold]

I always love it when the talking heads aren't on the bandwagon and we only have a few primetime games.

[AppHeel]

Remember in 2015 when we were projected to win 6 games and finish last in the Division and then went 15-1?

[Wolfcop]

Cut and paste from last year? It seems we are projected to win 7-8 games every year.

[mc52beast]

Most talking heads had us winning 6-8 games last year. Of course we could have won more than 7 if Cam didn’t lose his arm.

I don’t think ESPN ever has us being more than .500 which is fine with me, they’re a dumpster fire.

[hepcat]

With the way the Panthers looked at the end of the season I wouldn't be surprised if they only won 4 games. I also wouldn't be surprised if they won 12 and made a Superbowl run. Honestly, no idea what to expect out of the team this season.

[panthers55]

4 minutes ago, AppHeel said:

Remember in 2015 when we were projected to win 6 games and finish last in the Division and then went 15-1?

I was thinking the same thing. What switched in 2015 is we won lots of close games instead of losing them like we did in the second half of 2018. If we can come closer to the average I think that gives us 10 wins if nothing else changes.

[Untouchable]

I predict 11.6 wins and a greater than 90% chance of making the playoffs.  I have the same amount of credibility as those projections.

[JARROD]

Well gee, we have a quarterback controversy until we don’t, a defense transition that usually takes time to get in sync, and we lost most of our games to close out the season so 7-8 games is a safe bet.

its all on Cam and the defense coming together— oh and the big gapping questions about our secondary,..

[Navy_football]

1 minute ago, panthers55 said:

I was thinking the same thing. What switched in 2015 is we won lots of close games instead of losing them like we did in the second half of 2018. If we can come closer to the average I think that gives us 10 wins if nothing else changes.

A lot of those close games really weren't that close - the defense just let them come back. Which is one of the many question marks regarding Rivera's game management. The team plays not to lose, and that often leads to losing. 

This year, similar to last season (and 2015), doesn't have a real #1 WR. It wasn't a coincedence, as Cam is better when he spreads the ball around. When he has a #1, he tends to focus on him and stares him down instead of going through his progressions. 

This team has real offensive threats, unlike 2015 - sans Ted Ginn. If Cam is healthy, with an upgraded offensive line, he should be throwing 50+ passes a game. Pass to set up the run, not the other way around.

[steven8989]

[Tepper's Chest Hair]

It all comes down to Cam being healthy.  Too many predictions, to me, are acting like Cam isn't.

We have Bucsx2, Cards, Jags, 49ers, Titans, Packers, Saints as the last game of the season.  (so lets say the Saints will be a superbowl contender, has their seed locked up, and throws out 3rd stringers again).

Throw in Rams, Texans, Falconsx2 (seeing a split here), Redskins, Seahawks, Saints again, Colts.

I just can't imagine we only win 7 or 8 with a healthy Cam.  Not with DJ Moore getting over his fumbles due to another year under his belt (who probably stopped us from starting 7-1 last year instead of 6-2).  Having Reid in NFL form for the entire season, rather than getting him 1/2 way through then having to play catch up.  Curtis Samuel really starting to announce himself.

Sure, our defense is going to be our main issue (so weird saying that).  Assuming Cam is healthy.  But I honestly believe we've gotten better on that side.  Sure, they will be rookies.  But I expect Burns/Miller to have fairly quick impact.  Coupled with Irvin and Allen Bailey (make it happen Hurney).

[steven8989]

27 minutes ago, Tepper's Chest Hair said:

It all comes down to Cam being healthy.  Too many predictions, to me, are acting like Cam isn't.

We have Bucsx2, Cards, Jags, 49ers, Titans, Packers, Saints as the last game of the season.  (so lets say the Saints will be a superbowl contender, has their seed locked up, and throws out 3rd stringers again).

Throw in Rams, Texans, Falconsx2 (seeing a split here), Redskins, Seahawks, Saints again, Colts.

I just can't imagine we only win 7 or 8 with a healthy Cam.  Not with DJ Moore getting over his fumbles due to another year under his belt (who probably stopped us from starting 7-1 last year instead of 6-2).  Having Reid in NFL form for the entire season, rather than getting him 1/2 way through then having to play catch up.  Curtis Samuel really starting to announce himself.

Sure, our defense is going to be our main issue (so weird saying that).  Assuming Cam is healthy.  But I honestly believe we've gotten better on that side.  Sure, they will be rookies.  But I expect Burns/Miller to have fairly quick impact.  Coupled with Irvin and Allen Bailey (make it happen Hurney).

It is weird that we dropped two guys and are down to 88. Maybe we have a signing on the way.

[PootieNunu]

1 hour ago, panthers55 said:

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26686576/2019-nfl-power-rankings-projected-wins-playoff-chances-1-32?platform=amp

I guess few folks expect Cam back at 100% given when healthy last year we were 6-2 and cruising to the playoffs. Seems they are focusing on how we finished up instead of our potential. I am predicting 11-5 or better. Yeah it is too early but what else is going on?

Way too early for any win projections, if Cam is healthy we have a much better chance than they are giving us.

Also the whole article seems pretty dumb, so only four teams will win 10 games and everyone else will 9-7 or worse, yea sure that will happen.