Analyzing the rest of the Panthers schedule

[hepcat]

I'll be ranking each game as either "Should Win", "Tossup" or "Should Lose" - and predict a final record.

Week 8 @ 49ers: "Should Lose" - The 49ers are 6-0 and boast a top flight defense and multi-faceted running game. They have the #1 overall defense in total yardage allowed, and the 2nd ranked rushing attack. Critics can point to the record of their opponents, who are currently 11-28 collectively, as a big reason why the 49ers stats might be quite inflated. But make no mistake, a good team beats up on the bad teams, and that's exactly what the 49ers have done. If this game was in Carolina, I'd rate this game a "Tossup", but having to fly out to the west coast makes for a very tough matchup.

Week 9 vs. Titans: "Should Win"  - The Titans are 3-4 and have won some close games they probably should have lost. They are struggling at the QB position, although Ryan Tannehill performed better against the Chargers than Mariota had been. They have a solid defense, ranking #8 overall in yardage allowed. This should be a tough test for the Panthers, but I believe playing at home with the Panthers ferocious pass rush, will force the Titans into some turnovers and ultimately turn the game. 

Week 10 @ Packers: "Should Lose" - Aaron Rodgers is a tough test no matter when or where you play him. The Packers are currently 6-1 and playing some good football. To the eye test, their defense and pass rush has improved over last season, although they only rank #26 overall in yardage allowed. This could be a trap game for the Packers, playing the Chiefs then traveling to Los Angeles to face the Chargers the week before the Panthers game, but winning at Lambeau against Aaron Rodgers is a tough thing to do, and I think the Panthers will have a hard time doing it as well.

Week 11 vs. Falcons: "Should Win" - The Falcons are in disarray. Dan Quinn could be fired by the time this game is played, and that might actually improve the win chances of the Falcons. Either way, the Falcons are one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, and if the Panthers can't beat them at home, they have no business being in the playoffs.

Week 12 @ Saints: "Should Lose" - Top to bottom, the Saints are one of the best teams in the NFL this season. The Saints have had the Panthers number recently. The Panthers have not beaten the Saints with Drew Brees at the helm since Week 11 of 2016. They have not beaten Drew Brees in the Superdome since 2015. This is probably the most likely loss on the Panthers remaining schedule, but a win would almost certainly open up the possibility of a division title. 

Week 13 vs. Redskins: "Should Win" - The Panthers get another fortuitous matchup, facing one of the worst teams in the NFL in the Redskins, who already fired their head coach after an 0-5 start. Another game the Panthers cannot lose if they want to make the playoffs.

Week 14 @ Falcons: "Should Win" - Again, the Falcons are one of the worst teams in the NFL and might be in full tank mode by this point in the season. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones could be benched to preserve their health. On the flip side, the Falcons could go full "this is our Superbowl" and try their very best to stymie the Panthers playoff hopes. But the Panthers are the better team in this matchup and this is a must win for their playoff chances.

Week 15 vs Seahawks: "Tossup" - This could be the most important game of the season. The Seahawks are looking like they will be in a season-long battle with the 49ers for the NFC West division crown, and could be battling for a wildcard spot by this point in the season depending on how things go. They could be in direct competition with the Panthers for that wildcard spot. As all Panthers fans know, playing the Seahawks is always a close hard fought affair. After letting one slip last season, I hope the Panthers can pull this one out. A loss could be devastating for their playoff hopes.

Week 16 @ Colts: "Tossup" - The Colts have proven everyone wrong and have succeeded with Jacoby Brissett at QB. They have a decent defense and are well-coached. This one is a true tossup and will likely come down to a handful of key plays to determine the winner.

Week 17 vs Saints: "Tossup" - For the first time since 2009, the Panthers actually get to face the Saints at HOME in the final week. They have only played 1 other home game in the final week of the NFL season since 2009 (2015 against the Bucs) and have played the Saints in the Superdome in the final week three times since 2011. By this point, we will know if the Saints have locked up the division or if the Panthers are still in the running for a division title. The Saints could be resting starters in this game, but I believe if they have a chance to knock the Panthers out of the playoff picture, they will go full HAM on the Panthers. This game could go many different directions depending on how the rest of the season plays out, so time will tell how important this game is.

Overall, there are 4 "Should Win", 3 "Should Lose", and 3 "Tossups". That puts the Panthers at a record of 8-5, if things shake out how I've seen them, with 3 games that could swing their season in either direction, the most important of which being Week 15 against the Seahawks. I'd put the Panthers ceiling around 11-5, and their floor around 7-9.

This is not an easy schedule for the Panthers, but there are very winnable games, and if they can steal 1 or 2 of the "Should Lose" games, things will look much better for their playoff chances. 

[Pantha-kun]

If we win at 49ers we can beat any of the remaining teams on the schedule IMO. 

Seems like a mid season momentum game to me. 

[DeAngelo Beason]

I think adding a weapon at receiver turns a couple of those tossup games into favorable matchups.  I'd love to see the team make a run at AJ Green.

[BlazeCarolina]

11 minutes ago, DeAngelo Beason said:

I think adding a weapon at receiver turns a couple of those tossup games into favorable matchups.  I'd love to see the team make a run at AJ Green.

I don't think AJ will be healthy by the deadline.  You want us to trade for an injured/unknown AJ Green?

[t96]

6 minutes ago, BlazeCarolina said:

I don't think AJ will be healthy by the deadline.  You want us to trade for an injured/unknown AJ Green?

I think he’s pretty healthy right now and would be playing if the Bengals weren’t bottom feeders. He really wants to be traded and I think the team will do so and don’t want him hurt before then by playing him in meaningless games.

[joemac]

43 minutes ago, Pantha-kun said:

If we win at 49ers we can beat any of the remaining teams on the schedule IMO. 

Seems like a mid season momentum game to me. 

Reminds me a lot of a few years ago when SF was one of the best teams, and we went into their house and beat them when almost nobody was giving us a chance.

[joemac]

26 minutes ago, BlazeCarolina said:

I don't think AJ will be healthy by the deadline.  You want us to trade for an injured/unknown AJ Green?

Sure, if hes about to come back healthy a week or 2 after the deadline.  Shouldnt take more than a 2nd rounder to get him.  I think he is the perfect missing piece to this offense.  Probably not going to happen though, some teams will probably get in a bidding war, and someone will end up giving their first for him (which is overpaying, IMO).

[CanadianCat]

great breakdown!

[CanadianCat]

52 minutes ago, Pantha-kun said:

If we win at 49ers we can beat any of the remaining teams on the schedule IMO. 

Seems like a mid season momentum game to me. 

Yeah a win here would be HUGE!

[bababoey]

6 minutes ago, Nesbro1 said:

You talkin in 96 when we won in Candlestick? That 96yd pick 6 was awesome.

Won the West!

That was '95 not '96 for the pick 6 with Tim McKyer.

The NFL is an update league.  Teams that are playing really well right now might not be doing so in 3 or 4 weeks.  Injuries and game planning by good teams changes everything week to week.  We could win every one of the rest of our games or not win any, but I will say there is not 1 game on our schedule were we don't stand a chance of winning.  Unlike the Falcons.

[mc52beast]

9ers are winning despite Grap playing poorly. He’s making horrible decisions and that D is bailing him out. 
 

If we can somehow slow down their run game we win this thing

[beastson]

We've had how long of a rest... how long to prepare for San Fran?

I accept nothing less than a W especially seeing their performance against the Redskins

[NorthTryon]

Every one of these teams have had issues with their offense at some point this season.  The way our defense is playing, we will be in all of these ball games going forward.  That will be especially true if we can jump out on some of these teams and they have to play catch up.

[Khyber53]

We're the team that each of those is fearing when they look at their schedule. We're a tough fight and they know it.

We'll catch more than our share of the wins.