Panthers Provide Pat Answers

The Carolina Panthers pulled off yet another miracle last night, beating the perennial NFL power New England Patriots on national television, and winning their sixth straight game, 24-20.

 Who (outside of loyal Panthers fans) would have predicted not one... but (count 'em) two... exciting, come-from-behind victories against powerful NFL teams like the 49'ers and Patriots ?  I'm betting that most people were betting against our team, but at this point, all that matters is we are in a great position to end the regular season on a high note, and make the playoffs for the first time in five years.

 What an exciting game it was, going down to the final seconds, as QB Cam Newton threw his third touchdown pass to Ted Ginn with just a minute left in the game, only to see Tom Brady engineer the Patriots into scoring position, but come up short with an interception in the end zone.

  As I had predicted, the Panthers needed more offensive point production in this game to pull out a narrow victory. Newton spread the ball around, throwing his three TD passes to three different receivers.

  Two keys to this game were third-down conversion : the Panther were 8-11 (72%) while the Patriots were only 5-10 (50%), and turnovers : the Patriots lost a fumble and interception, while the Panthers did not lose the ball once.

  This game was not without its controversy : if the game wasn't exciting enough, it all went down to the last play.  After Newton's heroics, Tom Brady and the Patriots went 62 yards with less than a minute to play, and had time for one last play from the Panthers 18-yard-line.  With our defense exerting incredible pressure, he managed a lackluster pass into the end zone which was intercepted by CB Robert Lester.  However, a yellow penalty flag was thrown, allegedly for LB Luke Kuechly interfering with Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski.  After two referees conferred, the flag was picked up off of the turf, and the potential penalty was negated... GAME OVER!

  Our Panthers are now 7-3..  and headed to the playoffs !  (at least that's my opinion and conclusion)  I've believed this for more than a month, but now I'm stating it with confidence!   

  More later on our season... and our upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins.

Unpatriotic Panthers

  Normally, I am a fairly "patriotic" person.  I usually am silent, with my hand over my heart, during the playing of the National Anthem or the pledge of allegiance.  I've always appreciated being an American citizen, and living in what I believe is the greatest country in the world.

This coming Monday, I may still display those actions, but I will be in a different mindset than usual.  I will be feeling very "un-patriot-ic".  I hope that the entire Carolina Panthers team will be feeling the same way : looking for any way to destroy and annihilate the New England Patriots.

  The Panthers' recent game against the San Francisco 49'ers was nothing less than amazing.  It was definitely a defensive struggle.  Only one touchdown was scored.  Four field goals.  A one-point win.   But one point was enough.  I'm not sure that one point will do it against the Patriots on Monday night.  QB Cam Newton was quoted as saying that the Panthers offense will need to score more than ten points to beat the Patriots with their high-powered offense.
  
  Never say Never- the Carolina defense has been nothing less than sensational over the last few games.  They have been the catalyst for the team's five-game winning streak, ranking 2nd in the NFL (out of 32 teams) both in PPG (points per game) allowed [12.8], and YPG (yards per game) allowed [283].  The Panthers are only giving up an average 82 ypg on the ground. 

  So- who knows?  It could be another low-scoring game.  But don't count on it.  I believe that this time out, the Panthers may need to put their offense in high gear to edge out Tom Brady's squad.  So far, the Panthers have scored touchdowns over 60% of the time when inside the opponent's red zone.  They will probably have to make good on that percentage this coming Monday to come out on top.

  A reporter said before the 49'ers game that it was the most important game for the Panthers in five years.  Now- we come to the NEXT-BIG-IMPORTANT game : the Patriots.  And if the Panthers get by this one, then they face TWO MORE BIG, IMPORTANT games against their division foe New Orleans Saints.  There are big stakes riding on these games.  Stakes that none of us really believed would be there five games ago.  Each game could seriously impact any playoff hopes for the Panthers.

  Will Carolina be up to the challenge?  Well- so far, so good.  

[ note: The 49'ers could've helped us by beating the Saints on Sunday, (11/17) but ended up losing to them on a field goal in the closing seconds, 23-20. This makes Monday night's game even more crucial, as we need to win to stay within one game of the Saints. ]

49'ers Become 9'ers- Panthers (Almost) a Perfect 10

  Sunday's game between the San Francisco 49'ers and our Carolina Panthers certainly would not have come close to winning first place in a beauty contest.  In fact, it could have been classified as a very UGLY game in many aspects.  Both teams occasionally looked a bit off-beat, and miscues were the norm.  There were quite a few dropped passes, missed third-down plays and punts.  And both teams had two turnovers, each losing a fumble and having a pass intercepted. 

  In fact, things got a little nervous for Panthers fans in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the fourth quarter, as first RB Jonathan Stewart and then QB Cam Newton fumbled the ball, but the Panthers managed to recover both of them.

  Defense reigned in this game, both teams scoring and gaining well below their season averages in points and yards.   The Panthers held the 49'ers to 151 total yards in the game.  An interesting note is that all of the points scored were consecutive, the 49'ers going up 9-0 before the Panthers ended up scoring the last ten points of the game.

One rare but impressive offensive play in the game came near the end of the first half, when RB DeAngelo Williams cut outside for a 27-yard jaunt down the left sideline into the end zone for the only touchdown of the game.   Williams has more than redeemed himself from week one, when he fumbled away the game against the Seahawks.

  Panthers kicker Graham Gano missed his only field goal of the season but, like RB Williams, he made up for it by kicking what became the game-winning 53-yard field goal with ten minutes left in the game.  Then the Panthers defense settled in and came up with the necessary stops and plays to seal the victory, ending with CB Drayton Florence's interception of 49er QB Kaepernick's long bomb desperation pass in the final minute of the game.

  Entering this game, both the Panthers and the 49'ers were on impressive winning streaks.   Carolina spoiled the 49'ers run, and now are in the midst of their own run at 6-3 with five straight wins and six out of their last seven.   Still one game behind the division-leading Saints, the Panthers can hold their own and will have two separate opportunities in December to unseat the Saints and gain control of their own fate.

  Next up:  the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football  (Nov. 18), at home in Charlotte.   The Panthers are riding "sky high".   It should be an interesting game.  Don't look for either team to dominate.   It should be another close one.  I'm hoping that our team has learned a few secrets of pulling out a game in the closing minutes.   Before the 49'er game, they weren't doing too well at it.   But maybe this is the start of something new and different.   Perhaps our Panthers will still be in uniform in January.

This Bird Don't Fly

 
This past Sunday, the Carolina Panthers made believers out of a lot of fans [and a few football analysts] by winning their fourth (4th) straight game in a row, 34-10, over the Atlanta Falcons.  The 2012 NFC South division champion Falcons looked nothing like their former selves from a year ago, as the Panthers, after playing a mediocre first half themselves, destroyed any Falcons hopes by scoring two touchdowns within one minute in the fourth quarter.

One pivotal play seemed to turn a close game in the Panthers' favor.  At 17-10, the Falcons were within striking distance of a tie game in the fourth quarter.  On third down, QB Cam Newton completed a successful pass in Falcons territory to Brandon LaFell, and the usually reliable wide receiver had the ball stripped, but somehow, through a fluke bounce, ended up recovering his own fumble on the eight-yard line.

Now I'm not superstitious.  I hardly ever glance at a horoscope, and only read Chinese fortunes for fun- but the 8-yard line has been both a good and bad omen for the Panthers.  In week one, at home against the Seattle Seahawks, the Panthers dominated most of the game, while still holding a very slim lead.  Then, while on his way to the end zone for a go-ahead score, DeAngelo Williams fumbled away the ball -- and the game -- late in the fourth quarter on the Seattle 8-yard line.

If LaFell had lost this fumble, it too could've spelled defeat for the Panthers. Even though the Falcons would've been pinned inside their own 10-yard line, they would have had the ball.  And perhaps more importantly, they would have denied the Panthers an incredible opportunity to put the game away.  It would've been a completely different ball game.  But alas, this time the Panthers did NOT lose the ball, and Cam Newton ran it in on the next play for a touchdown and a 24-10 lead.  And to top it off, two plays and 30 seconds later, Carolina cornerback Drayton Florence shocked everyone by intercepting a Matt Ryan pass and running it into the end zone for a "pick six" and a 21-point lead.  A field goal was added minutes later for additional icing on the cake.

Now- the Panthers are in high gear, winning their last four games in a row.  However, their next opponent on Sunday, the San Francisco 49'ers, have won five games in a row, and are also playing extremely well.  This undoubtedly is the biggest game in recent Panthers history.  Their last "big game" -in the 2008 NFL playoffs- ended in disappointment, losing to the Arizona Cardinals at home, 33-13, as their former QB Jake Delhomme had six turnovers.  Let's hope this time, the Panthers can play their best game.  Keep your fingers crossed.  They will need it against the 49'ers.

The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway, in June 1942, was one of the most important and decisive turning points in World War II.  It was the first major victory for the U.S. and Allied Forces in the Pacific.  After this four-day battle, the Japanese naval fleet no longer maintained a superiority over the Americans.

Another "Battle of Midway" will take place this coming Sunday.  Perhaps not as world-changing or historic, but still important to the Carolina Panthers.  It will also happen "on" the Pacific.  They will travel to San Francisco to battle the 49'ers.  This will essentially be the first real test for the Panthers since their opening day loss to the Seattle Seahawks, another Pacific rival.  Carolina dominated and held a small lead throughout that game until late in the second half, when they basically gave the game away on a late-game fumble.

 San Francisco 49'ers VS Carolina Panthers
This Sunday Nov 10

Now we are at the MIDWAY point of the season.  Both Carolina and San Francisco are in second place in their respective divisions, trailing their rival Saints and Seahawks by a mere game in the standings.  It is a pivotal, crucial game for both teams.  A division title and berth in the NFL playoffs is at stake.

If the Panthers beat the 49'ers, and the Saints lose to the Dallas Cowboys, the Panthers and Saints would be TIED at 6-3 for the NFC South division lead.   Pretty exciting, huh?!

I've heard the advice before, "Don't do anything halfway," or "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right."  Well, if the NFL season were to end today, the Panthers would win the sixth (6th) and final wild card playoff spot in the NFC.  But we're only halfway through the season, and there's a lot of football yet to be played.  And -YES- the Panthers have looked -VERY GOOD- over their recent four-game winning streak.  But as we've pointed out previously, their opposition has not been of the highest caliber, having a combined losing record.  In fact, none of the teams they have beaten so far will be in the playoffs.  However, that is not true of their next two opponents.

Will the Panthers be a playoff team?  Will they play up to their names and potential, or will they appear more like oversized pussycats?  Time will tell... in particular, the next two weeks.  I'm taking bets on them -- but if and only if they get by the 49'ers (6-2) this coming Sunday (Nov. 10) and the Patriots (7-2) on Monday Night Football (Nov. 18).  These two teams have a long history and legacy of winning, not just games, but Super Bowl games.  And while the Panthers' current record is only one win less, I'm not sure anyone thinks that Carolina is in the same "league" with them yet. And unfortunately, the 49'ers have had two weeks to get ready for the Panthers.  Cam Newton and the rest of the team can prove us and the rest of the NFL wrong- and I hope they do- this coming weekend.

The Panthers do not wish to pin their hopes on a wild card berth in the playoffs.  The results of this past weekend (a win by the Panthers, 34-10, over the Atlanta Falcons, and an overtime loss by the Falcons, 27-24, to the New York Jets)  has propelled Carolina into the "Driver's Seat" to win the NFC South division title.  They are just one slim game behind the first-place Saints in the standings, with two upcoming decisive games between the two possibly deciding the champion.  If the Panthers can win both games against the Saints (which will be a difficult task), they are almost sure division winners.

Their chances may be much slimmer if they remain as the second (2nd) place team in the NFC South.  The two top runner-ups will be awarded the wild card playoff berths.  The 49'ers or the Seahawks are almost a "gimme" for one of these spots.  The other spot is a toss-up among several other teams.  Currently, the Panthers are tied at 5-3 with the Packers, Bears and Lions, and are just a half game ahead of the 5-4 Cowboys, and one game ahead of the 4-4 Cardinals.  The bottom line is- the Panthers face only ONE opponent for the division title (Saints), but they would be competing with at least 3 to 4 other teams for a wild card playoff berth.

So- the Panthers can control their own fate.  It's up to them- beat out the Saints, or roll the proverbial dice in the wild card race, where only one team wins, and the rest go watch at home.  Let's hope for the best.  Be sure to pass the word to Cam- the 49'ers are wearing "RED" this weekend.


 

Pointing the Finger

   It's easy to point fingers when things are going badly, especially for a professional NFL team like the Carolina Panthers.  It wasn't too long ago, when the Panthers were winless at 0-2 and then hopeless at 1-3, that people were pointing fingers in all directions.  Some were pointing to offensive coordinator Mike Shula, saying he was even more conservative than former OC Rob Chudzinkski ; others pointed at Head Coach Ron Rivera for not trusting his players enough to go-for-broke on several 4th-and-1 plays and for allowing the Panthers opponents to come back and win close games in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.  And many wondered if former rookie phenom QB Cam Newton, now in his third year, could really mature and become the leader that the Panthers will need to guide them back into the playoffs, or would he instead somehow morph into a newer version of former Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, whose last infamous dip into the doldrums was a 2008 home playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals, in which he personally committed six (count 'em) turnovers.  Lately, it has been a roller coaster ride, in which the Panthers (and Cam) play a great game, then look as if they did not show up at all for the next one.  Less than a month ago, Newton threw three (3) interceptions and no touchdowns in a 22-6 loss to the Cardinals.  Seemed like deja vu all over again. (!)

  Remember owner Jerry Richardson's goal/prediction in their inaugural 1995 season-- to win the Super Bowl within ten years?  Actually, they made it TO the Super Bowl in 2003 (with two years to spare) in their eighth season, only to let Richardson's dream fade in the closing minutes by the margin of a single field goal.

 Remember center Ryan Kalil's ill-fated prognostication a year ago?   A full-page preseason ad in the Charlotte Observer predicting a Panthers -- not winning record, not playoff appearance, but -- Super Bowl victory in 2012.  What he also failed to predict was his subsequent season-ending injury that allowed him to watch from the sidelines as the Panthers fell short, of not just the Super Bowl, but the playoffs, finished 7-9.  And Panthers QB Newton was quoted after a loss as saying, "There's no finger pointing in this game, especially not on this team. So if you expect me to point somebody out, or do this, if anything you can point the finger at me."

  But that was THEN, this is NOW, right ?  Well... maybe.  It's a quick jump on-and-off the Panthers bandwagon.  There have been many ups-and-downs over the period of the Panthers' 18-year history.

 
Many have also been quick to point out that the recent succession of wins by the Panthers have been against teams with combined records of 5-22, the latest against the winless 0-7 Tampa Bay Bucs.  But-- in their defense -- the Panthers did not make their own schedule or select their own opponents, and it is also true that they have typically been a hotter team in November/December.  Remember- they won four (4) straight at the end of the 2012 season.

Cam Newton- Pointing the Finger

  Cam Newton has been quick to give all of his teammates the nod for their recent success (winning three games in a row and 4 out of 5).  And rightfully so.  Even though Newton has shined in moments -- over the last three games (all wins), he has totaled
almost 700 yards passing, with six (6) touchdowns and no (0) interceptions, his teammates have been carrying their own weight.  The Panthers have averaged almost 100 yards rushing.  Their defense ranks second (2nd- behind 7-0 Kansas City) in LEAST POINTS ALLOWED, and third (3rd) in LEAST YARDS ALLOWED.

  The KEY, however, to the Panthers' hopes for a playoff berth this year, in all likelihood, will rise or fall on two sets of games : two this month, and two in December.

  The key November games will be :   

• Nov. 10 - at San Francisco 49'ers
• Nov. 18 - HOME vs. New England (MNF) 

  Then two (2) division games in December against their rival New Orleans Saints.

• Dec. 8 - at New Orleans Saints
• Dec. 22 - HOME vs. New Orleans Saints 

   
  The Panthers are currently two (2) games behind the Saints in the NFC South division standings.  If this scenario continues as is until Dec. 8, the Panthers have the opportunity to win the division by running the table on the Saints in their two head-to-head matchups.

   
  Of course, Carolina also has to play their other five (5) games : three of them are division games against the Atlanta Falcons (twice) and the Tampa Bay Bucs (at home); they also face the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins.   But if they fare well in the other four (4) games, their momentum should carry them through against these weaker teams.

    
  My prediction :  I believe if the Panthers can go 2-2 or 3-1 in these four crucial games, they have a good or better chance to win their division and/or make the playoffs.  If they go 1-3, then it's doubtful.. and 0-4.. well- then you may want to invest in some Charlotte Bobcats tickets.

Hey, what with all of this finger-pointing going on, maybe Cam Newton will be able to capture this pose sometime in the near future.  As Panthers fans, let's all hope so.

Even Stevonne at 3-3

  My hope is to publish a new Carolina Panthers post every week.   This has been a difficult task, it seems, so far this season.   Some weeks, I have just been too plain disgusted to write anything about the Panthers.  Other weeks, just haven't found the right time to do so.

  I just now found out that wide receiver Steve Smith's real first name is "Stevonne".. hence the post title "Even Stevonne at 3-3" !   Interesting.

  Prior to the past two Sundays, I had almost given up on the Panthers team.  They were 1-3 and looking horrible.. but Hurray!   The Panthers have seemingly raised their standard and rallied to win two games in a row, to even their season at 3-3.   As excited as a fan can get, I still realize that they are now just back at square one, it's as if the season is just starting over again.  Plus- and this is a scary thought-  they are facing a ominous November schedule-  with the 49'ers and the Patriots in successive weeks.

  The Panthers defense is rated third overall in the NFL. As of last week, they were tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for LEAST POINTS ALLOWED with 68, an average of less than 12 points a game!   The Panthers actually improved on their APA average by holding the Vikings to a mere 10 points.

 

So after mauling the Vikings 35-10 and dominating the Rams 30-15, all the Panthers can boast is that they are now a good team with a mediocre record (of 3-3).   

 

Imagine this- if the Panthers had scored just an average of less than one more touchdown per game, they would be 5-0 and the NFC South division leader.  In their first two games (in which they went 0-2), they lost one game on a lost fumble at their opponent's 8-yard line, and the other game on a TD pass with only two seconds left on the clock.

  They are SO-O-O-O-O close to being a GOOD TEAM, which makes reality even tougher to swallow.

  Ohh well- another post after the Bucs game tomorrow night- maybe the Panthers will actually have a winning record !