Reevaluating the Panthers Season Victory Predictions

by Jaxon on Oct 9, 2007 9:44 PM EDT in Panther News

With the loss of Jake Delhomme and unpredictable play from the team it’s time to reevaluate my season victory total for the Panthers. I had originally predicted an 11-5 season and NFC South Championship. I put up a poll which is posted below to get an idea of what my readership is thinking. Here’s my update based on recent events:

@ Arizona: Win
The cardinals have not been as good as advertised and the loss of Mart Leinert sets them back a little. Though Kurt Warner is off to a hot start he is bound to come down to earth sooner than later. Panthers by 4.

Indianapolis: Loss
I don’t really have to explain this right? For the Panthers to keep it close would be amazing.

@ Tennessee: Loss
Though we play well on the road Tennessee has a stout defense and a QB who can run the ball. Remember what Michael Vick used to do to us? We lose a close one.

Atlanta: Win
The Panthers finally win one at home. This one is not as close as the previous one. Panthers by 9.

@ Green Bay: Win
The Panthers magical mystery tour continues on the road against the Packers. Brett Favre has another off day as the Packers season begins to slip away. Panthers by 3.

New Orleans: Win
The Panthers reward the home crowd with a big victory that ties the Panthers for the NFC South lead. Panthers by 7.

San Francisco: Win
The 49er running game continues to sputter as once promising season goes in the tank. Panthers win a close one.

@Jacksonville: Loss
David Garrard throws and Jones-Drew runs the Jags to victory. The Jags run the clock and the defense clamps down on Steve Smith. Jags by 4.

Seattle: Win
The Panthers continue their winning ways at home with a key victory over the Seahawks in a rematch of the 2005 NFC Championship.

Dallas: Loss
The Cowboys spoil the party as they ring up the Panthers for the 3rd year in a row. Cowboys win big (it hurts me to say that)

@Tampa Bay: Loss
The Panthers lose to the Bucs again and settle for the final wildcard playoff spot. The Bucs win the NFC South.

If this holds true the Panthers will be 9-7 and make the playoffs as a wildcard. The two games that worry me are the 49er and Seahawk wins. Also, we could win the Titan and Jag games as well.

Anyone disagree with my prediction?

[Update: it looks like most fans are still feeling fairly optimistic and predicted a 9 to 10 win season.]

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I disagree

I think we can beat Arizona, but it will be tough. I think the Cardinals, with Warner, are much better than the Saints and Falcons, our last two victories. If our defense plays up how they should, we can beat the Cardinals, but we've yet to have an easy one. I think Tennessee will be easier than Arizona because they don't have receivers like Fitzgerald and Boldin. I skipped mentioning Indy on purpose. We can beat Atlanta, again, if we play better. We can't expect DeAngelo Hall to give us the game again. Green Bay will be tough if they find a running game. If not, another win. That would make us 7-3. It sounds good, but 7-3 is hard to imagine for these guys. We can beat the Saints again because I've never given them respect, and San Fran with the struggling and hurt Alex Smith. Jacksonville is close to Indy's level, and Seattle sucks. Dallas wins with five turnovers. That would make us 10-5.

I think Tampa outplayed us because those two weeks that Taye Biddle was in TB camp was enough money for him to give up info on our gameplan and offense. It won't happen again. We'll beat them. They aren't that good.

Here is the problem now. My predictions have us at 11-5. When I think about our last four games, I just don't see a bunch of guys who are capable of winning 11 games, though. My confidence is low. I think at 9-7, we miss the playoffs, and Jake's injury gives Fox a bye, so he keeps his job. I don't know which two games we'll give away to go 9-7 instead of 11-5, but we'll find a way.

by usana_gaines on Oct 10, 2007 8:30 AM EDT reply actions

I'm confused

charlsong,

You said you disagree, but then end up with the same record as Jaxon predicts. Perhaps you disagree on particular games.

I think both of you have proposed plausible predictions. I want to think you are both correct because that would mean that Carr is being successful as the QB, which has been my hope. If the team plays at an inspired level, it may be achievable. I'm trying to have hope but it's difficult at this time.

This dilemma reminds me of the old joke about a man remarking that his friend's fourth or fifth wedding was "a triumph of hope over experience".

We'll see. I'm waiting for the Tennessee and Atlanta games.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -- Edmund Burke

by A J on Oct 10, 2007 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

disagree

AJ, you were right, I disagreed about specific games. The way they played against the Saints, even though it was a win, made me less optimistic, though. It took a lot of effort for us to beat a winless team.

by usana_gaines on Oct 11, 2007 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions