Why The Panthers Deserved More Primetime Games

[jtnc]

I’ve gone through the primetime schedules, and while there are several notable games, one thing stood out to me.

Carolina. The Panthers play in two of what will be the more anticipated primetime matchups of the year, but why not more?

I was fully expecting Cam Newton and the Panthers to be featured prominently in stand alone games in 2012. All he did was have one of the best rookie seasons ever, on a team that was frequently involved in exciting shootouts. The Panthers ranked 5th in points scored but 27th in points allowed. Coming off a 2-14 year, Carolina never played in a primetime game last year. On most Sunday afternoons, they were usually in my rotation of games to keep an eye on most frequently, and it rarely disappointed.

So, I expected the league to get the Carolina Panthers in primetime regularly in 2012. Sure, they do not have the tradition and national fan base of some other draws, but there is something else that sells in the NFL: entertaining star offensive players, and Cam is near the top of the list entering year two. Additionally, there are now 100 stand-alone national games including the Thanksgiving contests. Every team is required to be on once, and no more than five times.

Carolina is on TWICE. Once on a Thursday Night NFL broadcast that many in the country that do not have the NFL Network will not see, against the Giants. Once on a Monday Night in November, the capper to a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend in what will be one of the most anticipated Monday Night games of the year. None on Sunday Night, the NFL’s showcase game.

Only eight teams are on less – Miami, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Minnesota, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland.

I can make an argument for maybe ten teams having more primetime games than Carolina based on drawing power in 2012. Instead, they end up with a below average number of primetime games.

But they were only 6-10 last year, you say? They haven’t earned it? The league sometimes does a poor job of anticipating the breakout teams and over schedules “winning” teams that fall apart. Carolina was 6-10, yes, but they were 2-6 in close games, and those close game records are notoriously fickle from year to year. They were already close to an average team. In addition, they closed stronger, winning 4 of the final 6.

New Orleans’ profile of offensive team that cannot play defense is one that suggests improvement in 2012. Defenses are more volatile and easier to turn around than offense, and better health and some key roster moves can make a big difference. The offense, on the other hand, is likely to still be very good so long as Newton is under center.

There have been eight other teams who averaged scoring at least 24 points a game and giving up at least 24 a game, and finished with a losing record. None of them had a losing record the following year. They averaged 9.6 wins. Carolina is going to be somewhere along the spectrum of team that shows dramatic improvement and leaps to double digit wins if the defense makes strides and they are average in close games, to still entertaining in shootouts even if the defense is still below average. They are a draw either way.

That they are only featured on prime time games the same amount as teams like Arizona, Tennessee and Oakland is head scratching. At least I know who I’ll be putting in the must-view rotation on Sunday afternoons in the fall again.

http://thebiglead.co...rimetime-twice/

[TruCatzFan]

U must follow the same people that I do. You beat me to the punch this time.

Compelling argument none the less.

[Inimicus]

I honestly dont get the fixation on PT games.

Would someone care to explain? I mean I actually prefer it when all of our games are 1:00 Sunday kickoffs.

[PhillyB]

no franchise "deserves" anything. you have to earn it. this franchise has proven absolutely nothing since 2008... we've had three seasons of mediocrity and until we make a playoff push we have nothing.

if cam keeps up his production and we make the playoffs this year, look for twice as many PT games next season.

[KendrickPanther]

I'm glad we don't have more Monday and Thursday games but I would love some Sunday night games.

[heyyall]

no franchise "deserves" anything. you have to earn it. this franchise has proven absolutely nothing since 2008... we've had three seasons of mediocrity and until we make a playoff push we have nothing.

if cam keeps up his production and we make the playoffs this year, look for twice as many PT games next season.

Jaguars went 8-8 in 2010 before getting five primetime games. Enough of your bitching, the NFL is NOT fair so quit thinking it is.

[TruCatzFan]

I agree with PhillyB for the most part. I also believe that the NFL should have featured Cam and the Panthers more than they did. It's a double edged sword really, I can see the argument from both sides.

I do honestly believe that this year will be the LAST year that we get screwed over on PT games for a long long time though.

[chknwing]

it might be me, but 2 prime times games seem better than none. how many do u think carolina should get? Half there season? Cmon there are 32 teams people considering that, 2 out of 16 games in prime time seems pretty good to me.

[KendrickPanther]

I honestly dont get the fixation on PT games.

Would someone care to explain? I mean I actually prefer it when all of our games are 1:00 Sunday kickoffs.

Have you ever attended a big time night game? There is something extra in the atmosphere. No sun in your eyes if you're on the wrong side of the stadium. Miss work the next day! Having the entire country focused on your game. And on Sunday nights you get the NBC coverage leading up to the game. Prime time games get more cameras and more in depth coverage.

[Chaos]

I would have liked to have had more as well, but this is the launch year. Last year they deserved zero and got zero, this year they deserved a few. What they do this coming season will give them the validation they need.

[carolina-chuck]

who cares.

i rather us playing in the super bowl than getting all the prime time games during the season

[Proudiddy]

I have an inside source who told me what happened... It went like this:

NFL Exec1: Hey NFL Exec 2, the Panthers! We could make oodles of money and increase ratings 200% by putting them on TV. Cam is a can't miss, he's the future of the NFL!

NFL Exec2: You're right, I'm on board with it. What should we give them? I'm saying let's give em 7 games, they're a hot team on the come up! Hey man, let's watch some of their footage real quick!

*turns on our game film as offense is playing*

NFL Exec1: Wow! What an offense. Sure-fire ratings!

NFL Exec2: Damn skippy! Let's do this!

*defense trots out onto the field, opposing offense scores twice on one drive and Panthers set the record for most penalties in a millisecond*

(awkward silence followed by crickets)

NFL Exec1: Packers?

NFL Exec2: Yeah, Packers.

[Pimpdaddy]

Winning fixes everything....

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

Win

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