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It depends, but I see our ceiling at 7-10

top dawg

By top dawg,
in Carolina Panthers

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top dawg Grand Master

top dawg

Posted
Posted (edited)

I've been trying really hard to see what others see, and I can't do that without making assumptions, taking a giant leap of faith and basically just throwing better judgement out the window, but I'm willing to play a game. I'm looking at our schedule and assuming that we're going to split with our division rivals (which is reasonable, though not guaranteed), how are we getting to the playoffs?

How does our all-star, know-it-all, can-do-no-wrong, perfection-personified of a coaching staff full of football gods improve upon a 7-10 season last year?

Don't get me wrong! I've told you many times over the years that historically we're likely not going to have an inkling of what we have until probably mid October. So, anything is possible! It really is. But on this day, pre season,  I can't see us winning more than 7 (maybe 8 if I'm hedging) games, and a lot is going to have to go silky smooth for us to do it.

Again, I'm assuming that we split with our division rivals. I think that some of you playoffs-or-bust people must be assuming that we're going to ride roughshod over the NFCS (which has really only happened once if you think about it), and that not only are our division rivals not improving, but all of our other rivals this year have stayed in a state of inertia, and that we're the only ones that have improved. Most people outside of Carolina---err, the Carolina Huddle, just don't believe that. 

So, take some time and explain to me why you believe that we're going to do something that almost never happens in the division and/or look at the opponents below and tell me why you believe that we're going to beat them, and try to do it analytically without all the emotions and grand generalizations.

Homer glasses off!

 

 

Week 3: 9/24 at Seahawks        L

Week 4: 10/1 vs. Vikings.            W

Week 5: 10/8 at Detroit Lions.     L

Week 6: 10/15 at Dolphins.          L

Week 8: 10/29 vs. Texans.          W

Week 9: 11/5 vs. Colts.                W

Week 10: 11/9 at Bears                L

Week 11: 11/19 vs. Cowboys.       L

Week 12: 11/26 at Titans.             L

Week 16: 12/24 vs. Packers.        W

Week 17: 12/31 at Jaguars.           L

 

Edited by top dawg
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Newtcase Experienced

Newtcase

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The NFL has provided plenty of examples of quick turn arounds and a few teams surprise every year.  Nothing wrong with believing we could be one of those teams this year.  
 

There’s enough talent on the team to compete.  How well the coaching staff extracts that talent and how quickly our young players progress will have a lot of influence on how the season progresses.

Theory crafting wins/losses is an exercise in futility.  Even with perfect logic the better team often loses in the NFL.

I simply hope we see a team improving with each game this season.  That’s the standard I’d like to see from a new staff and our rookie QB.  Just continue to improve, converting experience into progress.

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onmyown Grand Master

onmyown

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The ceiling is 8. Slightly better than last year but considering we’ve averaged like barley 6 wins in the past half decade - people need to realize this IS optimistic. 

It’s the reason behind 8 wins that’s what should be looked at. Is it a learning curve as it should be? Or more bullshit from this franchise looking like they’ll never learn.

People say we are improved from last year because we have a better team, but don’t account for the learning curve. It’s a casual fan take, or patience wearing thin. But it overlooks the facts, how football/team building general works in NFL history.

Because even 6 wins due to the curve will make me happy. I just want a bright future and as I’ve said the record means very little this year.

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CamWhoaaCam Grand Master

CamWhoaaCam

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1 minute ago, therealmjl said:

I see us at anywhere from 7-11 wins.

People focused on win totals.

 

Just win more games than the Bucs/Saints/Falcons and we make the playoffs. There is no powerhouse team in this division. It's up for grabs literally any team can win it. 

 

Does that not seem like a realistic goal this season? 

 

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top dawg Grand Master

top dawg

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22 minutes ago, Newtcase said:

The NFL has provided plenty of examples of quick turn arounds and a few teams surprise every year.  Nothing wrong with believing we could be one of those teams this year.  
 

There’s enough talent on the team to compete.  How well the coaching staff extracts that talent and how quickly our young players progress will have a lot of influence on how the season progresses.

Theory crafting wins/losses is an exercise in futility.  Even with perfect logic the better team often loses in the NFL.

I simply hope we see a team improving with each game this season.  That’s the standard I’d like to see from a new staff and our rookie QB.  Just continue to improve, converting experience into progress.

Nothing wrong with being positive. I'm a realist by nature though.

I will say that predicting wins and losses is not necessarily an exercise in futility,  it's just a general way to frame expectations. Admittedly, I don't engage with a crystal ball to this degree. I just thought that it was necessary in my quest to figure out why some of the people that I've grown accustomed to displaying reasonable minds are declaring "Playoffs, or bust!"

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therealmjl Grand Master

therealmjl

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Posted (edited)
2 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

People focused on win totals.

 

Just win more games than the Bucs/Saints/Falcons and we make the playoffs. There is no powerhouse team in this division. It's up for grabs literally any team can win it. 

 

Does that not seem like a realistic goal this season? 

 

Yeah exactly. If 6 of those 7 wins are divisional games then we could be NFCS champions. 

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mrcompletely11 Grand Master

mrcompletely11

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Just now, therealmjl said:

Yeah exactly. If those 7 wins are divisional games then we are likely NFCS champions. 

In the past decade the nfc south winner has won double digit games all but 2 times.   Last year and us in 2014.   There has never been a wild card team with single digit wins in 20 years.   So unless you truly think this team can win 11-12 games then I would not hold my breath on the playoffs.   I just hope to see progression and competency for this team and staff.  

 

In closing last year was a complete aberration and not anywhere close to the norm.

 
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