It's extremely possible, maybe even likely that we lose on Monday

[MCC]

Since 2000, the Patriots are 10-3 after the bye week.

 

5 of those with wins, of course, came from playing the Bills. 

[Cary Kollins]

I'm still trying to figure out if something can be "extremely" possible.

[Jase]

Jase, you might be thinking of the Tampa Bay MNF game from '08. Maybe.

 

No way, I think everyone remembers that one for what it was.

 

After looking at the '08 schedule, I still don't know what I was thinking about.

 

maybe I was thinking of the '09 giants game we won 41-9?

 

I'm not even 30 yet and the memory must be going...

[panthers55]

Great point and I can't explain it. You're right, 1995 has zero bearing on 2013. But yet this same thing happens every year we're contending no matter the personnel or coaches.

I don't know that is true.  We were 8-0 at home in 2008.  We did lose the Giants game but that was on the road and Kasay missed a 40 yarder in regulation.  Obviously we all remember the debaucle in the playoffs, I was there.  But I don't think that we always lose the big games or screw up on the national stage with last Sunday being an example.  We are home, we are playing a still banged up Patriot team and I think we will be the most motivated to win.  I don't know how things will turn out but I know that I will be there rooting like crazy.

[hepcat]

I'm not as hopeful about this game as I was about the San Francisco game.  Kaepernick is a mediocre QB at best.  Brady is a future HOFer with three Superbowl rings...not going to be easy to confuse him with blitzes.  Pressure from the front 4 straight up the middle is the only thing that has shown to disrupt Brady.  I'm expecting him to be a step ahead of the defense. The pressure will be on Cam and the offense to put up points in what could end up being a bit of a shootout.  The good news is, the Patriots have shown they can be beat by a team that plays good defense and does enough to win on offense - ala the Jets.  So it's not impossible to win...just going to be a very tough game.

[Sam Mills Fan]

I love people that always accuse me of not being a fan. I have an encyclopedic knowledge of the franchise and am currently wearing a Sam Mills jersey while typing about the Panthers instead of working but NOOOOOOOO I can't possibly be a fan.

[The Huddler]

Dude, shut the FUUGGG up

Sam mills fan sucks

[rainwater]

Have you seen the Panthers record in the second half of the season under Rivera, Cam, and Co?

 

Yeah, it is 9-7.  That is not exactly earth shattering.

[Newtcase]

I think this defense is going to light Tom Brady up.  New England's string of hack running backs are going to get stuffed all night.  They're group of fragile and/or rookie WR may make a few catches but will start throwing up alligator arms shortly after our secondary pops them so hard they question if they belong in the NFL.  Do not underestimate this defense, it's insanely good.  We went out to San Francisco, one the NFL's most physical teams and knocked 4 of their 22 starters out of the game.  One thing is certain in my mind, we will be the more physical team on offense and defense and it WILL affect New England's players and they're motivation to play.  

 

On the offensive side I just don't see New England having a prayer of shutting down our running game, especially with Stewart healthy and producing on top of DWill, Tolbert and Cam.  And as the saying goes, you run to setup the pass.  Cam has had some remarkable games already and I think that trend continues on MNF.  

 

I see New England scoring early in the game as our players settle into the game.  I could see a turnover producing a score for them and a field goal drive.  It's hard to imagine New England putting up more than 17-20 points against this defense.  I think that's a number the Panther's offense can easily reach.  I also think a defensive or ST score is due for this team which would make the offense's job even easier.

 

My completely irrelevant non homer prediction for this game....

Panthers 24

Patriots 17

[Sasquatch]

You come to Sam Mills Fan for hard truths. Here are some hard truths:

 

- The Patriots are nearly unbeatable under Belichick late in regular seasons and after bye weeks.

- The Patriots are 7-2. We are 6-3.

- The Panthers are favored, albeit by a razor thin margin on Monday.

- The Panthers are the toast of the NFL media after the win over the Niners on Sunday.

- Panthers fans are suddenly as confident as they've been at least since the 2008 season.

 

Now, for those of you that have been Panthers fans long enough to remember 1995-2008, does this seem like a recipe for victory on Monday night? I don't think so. I've seen this script a million times before and it nearly always ends in a big defeat. Reminds me of when we went into Chicago in 2005 on a big winning streak around this time of year with a similar record and were being picked as a possible SB favorite and we got beaten pretty badly by the Bears because Jake laid an egg.

 

If I HAD to pick, I would go with my brain over my heart and pick the Patriots on Monday night. But even if we do lose, I think this team is still very poised to do some damage in the playoffs. And if we win, bucking all prior preconceptions about the Panthers throughout the franchise's entire history? Then you might want to start making plans for New York come February.

 

I hope I'm wrong!

 

Gee thanks for the input, but next time, leave the half-empty glass in your own kitchen. 

 

Try to enjoy some of the current success instead of speculating on future doom and gloom. You'll be happier for it.

[Sam Mills Fan]

If that's true YusufBeard that's a great stat.

[Kurb]

Ive argued with SMF for years here, but not once have I doubted his fandom.

 

Like myself, he has been conditioned by repeated failures from the Panthers, doubt when opinions are high should be a reaction all of us feel. This team has a long history of breaking the spirits of the fanbase.

[The Huddler]

Its not that youre not a fan.

But dont come on a panthers board with that kind of buzzkill. You can have your prophecies, but dont expect a good response from us. Weve won five striaght.

[MCC]

If that's true YusufBeard that's a great stat.

 

2012: Defeated Bills 37-31 

2011: Lost to Steelers 25-17 

2010: Defeated Ravens 23-20 (overtime) 

2009: Defeated Dolphins 27-17 

2008: Defeated 49ers 30-21 

2007: Defeated Bills 56-10 

2006: Defeated Bills 28-6 

2005: Defeated Bills 21-16 

2004: Defeated Bills 31-17 

2003: Defeated Cowboys 12-0 

2002: Lost to Broncos 24-16 

2001: Defeated Panthers 38-6 

2000: Lost to Bills 16-13 (overtime) 

Total: 10-3