Season of Dreams or Season of Illusions?

[MHS831]

If the Panthers win....

It is the shot heard round the NFL--the Panthers will rise from dark horse to show pony.  The team will then be showcased on MNF vs. Brady and Co.  The Niner game could be "that game" that throws this team into the serious discussions.

 

Beat the Pats the following week, we could suddenly become the NFC favorites, depending on what everyone else does.

 

If the Panthers lose...

a close game:  There is the measuring stick.  We would have 2 close losses this season vs. the cream of the NFC.  It would tell us that we are good, but not quite elite.  Even if New Orleans beats Dallas at home and goes 2 games up on us, they host SF the following week.  I don't see them winning that game.

 

a blow out, then the fans and perhaps players will wonder if they are nothing more than front-running bullies, picking on the weak kids in the league but folding like a lawn chair vs. the best teams.  Fortunately, they would get a chance to redeem themselves at home on MNF vs. the Pats, so it could be a short reality check.

 

Cam likes the limelight, and this is the first time he has been in it in a good while. All the pressure is on the Niners, so lets hope the week off added pressure.

[5158Poundin]

All the pressure is on the 49ers to not lose to the dark horse in the race.  

 

All the pundits are picking against us, naturally.  To go into Candlestick and punch the 49ers in the mouth and win this would be huge and my week at work would be pure bliss.

 

I think we can and hope they believe it too!!!

[Kuech the Sneak]

If we lose today it doesn't mean we're a bad team, but this game today could be a real indicator of how we finish off the second half of the season

[Mr. Scot]

Still have the Patriots next week...

But what say you now?

[teeray]

I think we are better than our 5-3 record indicates

I stand by this statement

[Marguide]

Still have the Patriots next week...

But what say you now?

 

If we stay relatively healthy, this should indeed be a season of dreams.

 

Our defense is good enough to take us places by themselves. If the offense can just stop shooting themselves in the foot so often, we should go deep in the playoffs.