SACK THE PACK

PANTHERS vs PACKERS

SHOWDOWN ON SUNDAY

     The Panthers game with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday will be the toughest game they have played so far this season.   It could very well also be the most important game that we will play all this year, including our division games with the Falcons.  Fan and media buzz is that this game will have playoff implications, perhaps deciding a playoff seeding or a home field advantage.  

     So what's the big deal?   The main thing is that Carolina MAKES it to the playoffs, right? Maybe.  Maybe not.   You might point to the fact that in 2008, the Panthers went 12--4, won the NFC South, got a first round bye, and played the Cardinals at home in a divisional playoff.  And they LOST 33--13.  Yes-- anything can happen.   Playing on your home field doesn't ever guarantee a win.  The game still has to be played, and the team still has to execute and play well to win.  But still--- these things do matter.

Possible Preview ?

     Think about this scenario-- the Panthers win a playoff game (or two) and wind up in the NFC Championship Game-- one game from the Super Bowl.   But they ended up TIED in the regular season with the Packers-- let's say, with identical 14--2 records-- but one of the Panthers' two losses was to Green Bay.   The head--to--head matchup would determine playoff seeding and the home field advantage.  So, instead of playing at home in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, where we'd be playing in milder 40--ish degree weather, the Panthers would go all the way to Green Bay's infamous Lambeau Field, the site of the 1967 "Ice Bowl" (with temperatures below freezing ) ! 

     So a loss on Sunday won't have immediate negative impact.  It won't eliminate us from playoff contention.   But it could have some playoff ramifications for January.

     The Packers' loss to the Broncos last weekend showed that the Pack is not invincible.  They are beatable.   But it also possibly gave Green Bay an added incentive against the Panthers. They are not wanting to go from a 6--0 undefeated team to a 6--2 team with a two--game losing streak.   There's a certain amount of pride involved.   But there's also the surprising Minnesota VIkings at 5--2, sitting just a game behind the Packers, and waiting to take over the division lead.   Yes-- the Pack is a good team with great motivation to win this game.

    What is the best scenario for Sunday's game?   Well-- the keys to the Packers game are much like any other.   I'm sure that Carolina has a more specific game plan designed just for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay team.   But there are a few basics that must happen for us to win this game-- or even stay in this game.

KEYS TO THE GAME

• FAST Start.   Carolina needs to score first, or at least get out to a good start in the first quarter.  We cannot afford to get down to a great team like Green Bay.   It will help us if we can build a lead and maintain it throughout the game. 

•  POSSESSION.  We need to win the time of possession battle.  In other words, our offense needs to "take their time" marching down the field on most drives, and keep the ball away from the Green Bay offense.   If the Packers don't have the ball, they can't score.

•  RUN the Ball.  The Panthers running backs (plus Cam Newton) must have a good day.   Carolina has been averaging 145 yards per game on the ground.   We must gain at least 75--100 yards or more rushing.   This doesn't appear too difficult when you see the Packers are #25 in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing almost 125 yards per game.

• NO Turnovers.  Carolina must NOT give up the ball to the Packers.   We've had a tendency to lose the ball a few times a game, but be able to bounce back from those mistakes.  We mustn't expect that level of resiliency against this Packers team.

• BIG Plays.  In particular, the Panthers receivers cannot drop big--time game--changing catches in the open field, like they have done occasionally against other opponents.   Ted Ginn's drop on a potential touchdown pass in the Colts game comes to mind. Also, Carolina's defense cannot drop interceptions that literally slip through their fingers.   We must take advantage of every opportunity given to us. 

• HANG in There.  The Panthers have already been doing this for as long as I can remember.  They never give up-- they "keep on pounding."   This game may come down to the wire, just as the Saints and Colts games did.   Our team will have to show poise and patience in grinding out another win.

       I've seen some predictions saying that the Panthers are ripe for a whipping, and the Packers are motivated-- after their first loss-- to give it to us.   But I don't see either team dominating the other in this game.  I think this will be a close game.  It could go either way.   As was the case in the Colts game, it may be the last team to have the ball that will win the game. One team or the other may get ahead by a touchdown or two, but I see both teams coming back from any deficits to make the game close at the end.

    MY PREDICTION--- Panthers 30, Packers 27

     Even if we don't win against the Packers on Sunday, the season's not over by a long shot.  We still have many more games and more chances to prove ourselves.   Unless we completely fall apart, we seem destined for a playoff berth and run this year.   We are looking like a team of destiny.  Maybe this could be our year to go all the way.   Anyone else feel THAT way ?

Don't forget-- to take My PANTHERS POLL

"Will The Panthers Go to the Super Bowl this Year?"

GO & CAST YOUR VOTE

Cardiac Cats Squeak By Un-Luck-y Horseshoes

Panthers Win in Overtime

    THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN AFTER 

MY HEART STARTED BEATING AGAIN

    Carolina Panthers fans were given much more than they bargained-- or asked --for on Monday night-- more ballgame and more breathtaking action as the Indianapolis Colts came back from a 17--point deficit to send the game into overtime.  

     The Panthers looked invincible for three quarters, their defense holding the Colts to only six points on two field goals, while the offense racked up 23 points on three touchdowns and a field goal.  At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Panthers held a comfortable 23--6 lead, and it appeared as though they would coast to an easy victory.  

     But things soon changed dramatically and unexpectedly.  The momentum suddenly shifted in the fourth quarter.   The Panthers defense, which had kept the Colts out of the end zone, suddenly loosened up and became less stingy, allowing two long drives.  The Colts offense, which seemed hapless and lifeless until then, seemed to ignite and take control of the game, scoring two touchdowns and then kicking a last second field goal to force the extra period.

    The overtime period was a heartstopper, as both teams had opportunities to pull out the win.   In the end, Carolina made the bigger plays when they counted to force the outcome, beating the Colts by 29--26..

    
     This game was also a showcase of redemption for several Panthers players. 

• WR Ted Ginn, Jr. missed a perfectly thrown, wide open pass from QB Cam Newton that should have been the winning touchdown, but later caught a first-down pass that helped get the Panthers into field goal position to tie the game during the first overtime period---

• LB Luke Kuechly missed making an end zone interception which would have also sealed a win, but later collaborated  with  S Roman Harper to make an interception to halt a Colts drive and put the Panthers in position for the winning field goal---

• K Graham Gano, who missed a crucial extra point which proved to be a deciding factor in the game going to overtime, also ended up kicking the winning 52-yard field goal.

     The Panthers came out of a hard fought, imperfect game with a perfect 7--0 record -- another first in the history of the Carolina Panthers franchise.  The team will enjoy this victory for a day or two, but will soon be allowed to look forward to hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, who lost to Denver on Sunday night and are now 6--1.   With a win over the Pack, the Panthers could go up two games over BOTH the Packers and Falcons in the NFC playoff race and be on the road to a top berth and first round bye in the NFC Playoffs.

        Next Game : Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers  

Sunday Nov. 8 --- 1:00 pm EST

FALCONS FIZZLE OUT IN OVERTIME

      Since the Panthers didn't play this Sunday (our game is on Monday Night Football on National TV), I got a chance to watch some other teams play--- in particular, our rival Atlanta Falcons.  They played the "lowly" (last place) Tampa Bay Bucs. 

    The Bucs got up to a 20--3 lead, due in large part to multiple Atlanta turnovers, and then the Falcons roared back to tie the game at 20--20 in the closing minute and send the game into overtime.  After a Bucs field goal, the Falcons (under the "new" overtime rules) got a chance to score, but came up short, 23--20.

          
     This is what I would've dreamed on happening, but didn't think in a million years that the Falcons, who've been playing so well lately, would lose to the miserable Tampa Bay Bucs.  Guess I could say something lame like, "Well-- this is proof that there's a God"--- but I already knew God exists without this game's outcome.

     All I know is--- this is just what the doctor ordered for the Panthers--- just hope with the division lead in our laps, we don't stop playing like we played to get to this place.   I'm hoping that we will even turn it up another notch or two.  As many of the Panthers players and coaches have said, I don't believe we've played our best football yet.   But I'm hoping it will come soon.  We'll need it for the playoffs.

     Okay--- ATLANTA fans and players-- can you say--- umm--- 

"WILD CARD" ?

Scariest Halloween Costume

     A friend of mine suggested that I wear the scariest Halloween costume that I could find.   This is what I came up with--- I figured that ---the whole NFL is scared--- of this costume.

     How many of you agree ???  Let me hear from you--- just leave a comment below--- okay.

SHORT ON THE LONG END OF THE STICK

     JULIUS PEPPERS.     CHARLES JOHNSON.    GREG HARDY.     KRIS JENKINS.    KEVIN GREENE.      

    There's been quite a few prestigious defensive sack leaders to pass through the Carolina Panthers over the years who made their marks on the NFL. 

Kawann Short

    Since last year, Greg Hardy was released and Charles Johnson was injured.  The Panthers have been known to have a motto called "Next Man Up" which indicates the ability of prior backup or unknown players to rise to the occasion and help the team in times of difficulty.

  This year, one of those players has definitely been DT Kawann Short.   He has come on really strong in the last couple of big games against Seattle and Philadelphia, registering five sacks in those two games and earning the NFL's Defensive Player of the Month award for October.

    The third--year player from Purdue becomes the second consecutive Panther player to win the award, with CB Josh Norman winning the September award after returning two interceptions for touchdowns.

    Okay-- this is pretty amazing-- but can we make it three?  I'm thinking maybe-- Luke Kuechly?

FALCONS LOOMING ON THE HORIZON

     Whenever I first looked at the Panthers 2015 schedule, I saw two things that stood out or struck me rather interesting.   One I've already mentioned-- the four--game stretch with the Seahawks, Eagles, Colts & Packers.  We are halfway through that tough road and have scored an A+ by going 2--0 against Seattle and Philly.  I think we will win at least one of the two games left before the midway point of the season.  I'm predicting 8--0, but with the Packers being the top--rated team in the NFL right now, I'd also be happy with 7--1.

    The other striking thing about the Panthers schedule this year was that they would be facing three out of four games in December against their division foes Atlanta and New Orleans.

RECENT HISTORY

    In 2013, the Panthers were 10--4 and still had to win their last two games at home against the Saints (in the rain-- I was there) and the Falcons to win the NFC South and win a first round bye in the playoffs.   Last year, Carolina wasn't nearly as good, losing six games straight and going 3-8-1 before having to win their final four games, including the closer at Atlanta to barely squeak out the division title again and get a home playoff game.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Here's Hopin' !

     It would seem to the casual observer that the Panthers are doing great this year.  My gosh-- they are undefeated-- for crying out loud !   Even I wrote the blog just a couple of weeks ago entitled "Smooth Sailing", speaking of an easy trip to the playoffs for the Panthers elite.  But no matter how excited we may get, or how often we repeat the mantra of "Undefeated"-- the fact of the situation is that even at 6--0, we sit precariously atop the NFC South, only a half game ahead of the Falcons, who lurk in our shadows at 6--1. 

    If you look over the Falcons & Panthers schedules, you see that Atlanta has only one other opponent with a winning record--the Vikings.  Other than that, only the Panthers seem an indomitable foe.  A possible exception may be the last game against the New Orleans Saints, who already beat Atlanta just a couple of weeks ago.   The rest of the Panthers schedule also seems lightweight, with the exception of perhaps Dallas and our divisional rivals.

THE BOTTOM LINE

    As any loyal, respectable Panthers fan would, I have a deep-seated hope that the Falcons will completely lose their composure and go on a long season--ending losing streak.   I'm just not sure whether Atlanta's team will cooperate so willingly.   It appears more likely that they will continue to stalk us, either tied or close behind in the NFC South divisional race, for the rest of the season. 

Carolina Panthers

Atlanta Falcons

    It just doesn't seem fair.  A mediocre record last year was enough to squeak out our division title & a playoff berth.  But this year, we stand undefeated almost halfway through the season, & yet we cannot legitimately claim anything yet.  We are one of five teams in the NFL who are undefeated. Yet, when you look at the other teams & their divisions, they are all 2--3 games ahead of the second place team.  No such luck this year in the NFC South.  We are much better this year-- but so is Atlanta.   

    Having a great year doesn't mean as much if we end up blowing our slim division lead and perhaps becoming a Wild Card team behind our rival Falcons.  Last year, the Panthers won the division by just 1/2 game ahead of the Saints, and 1 1/2 games ahead of the Falcons. Unbelievable as it may seem, it could be just as close this season.

   { DECEMBER 13 & 27 }

            It's a very real possibility that by December 13 & 27 (yes-- we play the Falcons twice in three weeks!), we could be tied or one game apart in the divisional standings.  Barring a complete breakdown by either team, the Panthers and Falcons could be either 9--3 or 10--2.   If we're extremely good AND lucky, we could even be 11-1.  But one thing's almost for sure-- the Falcons will be waiting, looming on the horizon, eagerly awaiting our final showdowns.
   
     Let's hope that those two games with the Falcons don't mean as much as they appear they could right now.  

    But if it comes down to a die--or--die matchup, let's also hope that we are ready.

So--- YOUR THOUGHTS ?

SURPRISING STAT-- Part Two

    The Carolina Panthers hiked their record to a perfect 6--0 for the first time in franchise history this past Sunday by trouncing the Philadelphia Eagles, 27--16.   Even though QB Cam Newton suffered three interceptions (two on balls tipped by Panthers receivers), the Panthers defense held the Eagles to two field goals off these turnovers, sacked the Eagles quarterback five times, and also held them scoreless in the fourth quarter.  The consistent Panthers offense scored in every quarter, ran for over 200 yards, and averaged an amazing 6.8 yards per play.

    A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog entitled "Surprising Stat"-- in which I told about the phenomenal Carolina Panthers defense achieving the #1 position in the NFL Stats for lowest number of points allowed.  At that time, they were allowing about 18 points per game.  Their stat is still around that figure-- but now, the Green Bay Packers have taken over that #1 spot, allowing about 17 points per game.  
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Who'd-a Thunk It?--Not Me!

     It is no secret that we play these Packers in another week. As I previously mentioned, it is possible that we will meet Green Bay with both teams being 7-0-- which is a very rare oddity in the NFL.  Oddly enough, Green Bay will meet Denver this weekend, with both teams at 6--0, and will have to beat the Broncos to get to 7--0.   We meet the 3--4 Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. It would appear that we have the easier game.  But the Panthers are NOT taking the Colts lightly, as they won the AFC South last year and are leading their division now. 
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Panthers #1 in Rushing

    This week's blog is entitled "Surprising Stat-- Part Two"--- because lo and behold, the Panthers offense is leading the NFL-- yes #1 this week in an offensive stat --- rushing yards per game. The Panthers ran for over 200 yards in the Eagles game, and are now averaging an amazing 145 yards per game, and 6.2 yards per carry.  And this week, the running game was NOT led by #1-- the rushing was spread out among three players--- RB Jonathan Stewart,  FB Mike Tolbert, and QB Cam Newton.  Even WR Ted Ginn, Jr. contributed this week with a 43--yard end--around run that set up a touchdown.

Stewart & Tolbert

     Tolbert gave the Panthers a two--touchdown cushion at 21--6 when he scored in the third quarter on a phenomenal two--yard pass play in which he literally carried four Eagles defenders with him into the end zone.   Panthers.com analyst Mike Craft compared this play to the equally amazing four--yard touchdown run by DeShaun Foster in the NFC Championship game in January 2004 vs. the Eagles that sent the Panthers to the Super Bowl.

One Game at a TIme

     Perhaps another interesting (and surprising) stat is that there is only ONE  Panthers player who is in any Top Five category in the NFL--- that would be CB Josh Norman, who is tied at #1 with four interceptions.   The Panthers defense is rated #9 in Total Defense, allowing about 339 yards per game.  The best defensive stat is one that is neither computed nor recognized, and that is allowing fewest points when it really counts.  The defense seems to bend but not break, and always seems to stop the opposing team at crucial points in the game.

     It is only natural that a team in our position (undefeated at 6--0) would be tempted to look ahead to a huge game like the Packers next week, but I don't think that Coach Ron Rivera and the Panthers team will do that.   They've been emphasizing the "one game at a time" approach ever since he came to Charlotte.    And I believe that he and the other coaches and veteran players on this team will "keep pounding" that message into everyone's heads.

      I think that we will probably lose a game (or two) this year, but it will NOT be this week, or next. I'm going out on a big limb this time & predicting that the Panthers will beat BOTH the Colts & the Packers, and go to  a perfect 8--0 at the midway point of the season.

     This past week was miserable, waiting an incredibly tough 14 days between games.  This week is almost as bad, as we have to wait eight days until Monday night's game.   Getting to Sunday and NOT having a Panthers game is like a kid going to a front door and NOT getting any Halloween candy !
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           Next Game : Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts

Monday Night Football -- Nov. 2nd