Is The Season Opener A "Must Win" For You?

[hepcat]

stats!!!

 

the panthers are 7-11 overall in week 1 games.

 

overall records for seasons with game 1 loses...

 

95- 7-9

97- 7-9

98- 4-12

99- 8-8

00- 7-9

04- 7-9

06- 8-8

09- 8-8

10- 2-14

11- 6-10

12- 7-9

 

overall record for season with game 1 wins

 

96- 12-4

01- 1-15

02- 7-9

03- 11-5

05- 11-5

07- 7-9

08- 12-4

 

looking at these records is a sad reminder of how at best carolina has always been an overall C grade team.

 I'll be the first to say, Carolina lost the season opener in 2005 to New Orleans.  Please correct your post.

[Chaos]

I remember when we kicked Minnesota' s ass in the 2001 season opener. That win set the tone for the entire season.

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[Proudiddy]

I remember when we kicked Minnesota' s ass in the 2001 season opener. That win set the tone for the entire season.

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LOL, always an exception...

[nosuchthingasapanther]

 I'll be the first to say, Carolina lost the season opener in 2005 to New Orleans.  Please correct your post.

 

oops. done.

[teeray]

Colts got smoked by 20 points on opening day last year by the Bears.  Ended up doing alright

[hepcat]

oops. done.

 

Always an exception to the rule...'01, the Panthers come out the gate swinging, then lose 15 in a row.  '05, Panthers stumble out the gate but end up in the NFC Championship.  

[FattyFatFat]

If we're being literal then no since 10 wins will most likely get you into the playoffs which means we can lose 6 including the opener.

I'm assuming we're being philosophical. I think it would be an incredible boost in confidence to beat the hawks and win the first game. What we will have to see is leadership and accountability win or lose from our QB, coaches, and the guys that wear the C on their chest.

I think we're going to win. The Philly game has freaked a lot of you out. Let's remember last year all the games we were close. I think we win those games this year. Or at least a majority of them.

I keep thinking back to when auburn got down to Alabama like 20 something to nothing. Cam Newton showed why he was special orchestrating that comeback and I know he's got that kind of ability.

[AviationMX]

The biggest thing going for us when playing the Seattle is they have the San Fran next...maybe we surprise Carrol and run the ball forever and pull out a surprise win with ball control. But any team can win on any day, we will just need the right play calling to keep it close. Hell, our defense may surprise everyone...including Rivera.

 

If we lose, so what? we just don't give in...as l long as we get better every game- I'm backing the team. Jesus, it's preseason...

 

 

[Jmac]

For a team like the Panthers to build confidence,it would be nice to come out firing on all cylinders. Send a message to themselves and others that they are to be taken seriously. Is it a must win..no...would it be a building block for a productive season..yes.

[Zaximus]

I think it's more along the lines of HOW we lose, if we lose.  If we limit their scoring and the overall score is pretty close and we just lose in one drive or something, that wouldn't be as bad.  If we go out and get waxed then I think that could be very bad.

[Guest CarolinaBlacknBlueblood]

We have to hit the ground running this year. And the seahawks fame is ready made forrl us. We should have won that game last year. If it weren't for a bounce pass in tje edzone from cam we would have! This game, giants game, and the tampa games are all must wins.

[PhillyB]

yes

 

and at the same time no

[ed bell]

Always an exception to the rule...'01, the Panthers come out the gate swinging, then lose 15 in a row. '05, Panthers stumble out the gate but end up in the NFC Championship.

I'd have to go with there being no rule here at all....this thread seems to be an exercise in postulating significance to something difficult to evaluate and most likely based in personal feelings. I can't buy that a win or loss against Seattle will cement the destiny for this years team......... However, since the last time we won a season opening home game was 2003, beating Seattle means Superbowl?

[RoaringRiot]

I guess the "for you" in the title means, considering the historical implications, thus, making it a "figurative" must win. 

 

My argument isn't if we lose the season opener, go ahead and start preparing for 2014...  Obviously, there is still a lot of season left.  But, what I am asking is, if we lose the season opener, is it your opinion that this team can still make this a successful season considering the lack of success we've had in the past following an opening loss?

 

My opinion is, NO, we likely won't have a successful season if we lose the season opener.  It's still possible, but again, this team, under this coach in particular, have yet to demonstrate the ability to "bounce back" from ANY loss of any significance or relevance.  To me, week one sets the tone.  For too long, this board has spewed excuse after excuse for us not needing to start off strong, especially after we lose the opener - "it was on the road."  "that was a good team."  "it's just one loss, we have 15 more games to go."

 

To me, that's loser talk.  I look at the greatest coaches and players in history, and think, how many thought losing was ever acceptable depending on different variables involved?  NONE.  It's not EVER acceptable.  Although it is inevitable at some point...  But, not acceptable.  The problem with our franchise and fanbase over the years, is that we've grown to ACCEPT failure as commonplace and excusable.  It's not.  And there is no better time than now to change that mentality. 

 

To me, winning week one is ESSENTIAL to turning things around here.  If we lose, it gives that much more room for questions to creep in players' and the fans' minds.  Furthermore, people can say what they want, but external pressure certainly does create tension, friction, and rash moves within the franchise...  And a week one loss will certainly have the heat turned up on Rivera, with people calling for his job immediately, which would further encompass our team in even more negativity.

 

Perhaps the title should've been, "Will Week One's Outcome Determine Our Season's Success?"  But, then I'm sure we'd still have to deal with "a season is never won or lost in any one week herp derp" comments (that isn't directed at anyone in particular).

 

 

This is correct.  It's not a literal must win, it's an analogy (since many of you can't get past that).  Winning and losing this game is the difference between a real chance at 11-5 vs ending up 8-8