Looking Down the Panthers Playoff Stretch

by Revshawn on Nov 11, 2008 3:17 AM EST

It's turning out to be an amazing season in the NFC South, at least for Panther fans. The New Orleans Saints were predicted by many to win the NFC South, yet they have failed to live up to expectations. They may have the best offense in the league yet they're still sitting at the end of the NFC South in wins and losses, living proof that you cannot win games in this league unless you have a potent defense.

The race for the NFC South title is a tight one, and its still anyone's race right now. None of the teams are so elite that they'll never lose another game, and though the Panthers stand a good chance isn‘t a foregone conclusion quite yet. Most likely the division will come down to the game between the Bucs and the Panthers. If the Panthers manage to beat them in a few weeks, they will most likely win the division.

What of the Falcons? The Falcons don't stand a chance in winning the division or making the playoffs. They face elite teams all the way down the stretch with the Broncos, Panthers, and Chargers in the next 3 weeks. It doesn't get any better after that either. They've had a decent season so far, but Matt Ryan will have to guide his team through hell and back to even clinch a wildcard spot.

So if we eliminate the Falcons, and we count the Saints out based on their current record, that leaves only the Bucs and the Panthers only one game away from each other. Lets take a good look at their schedules. The very first thing you'll notice is a scary resemblance in terms of difficulty. This is going to be a fight to the finish.

Carolina Panthers

Week 11 Detroit Lions at home

Week 12 Atlanta Falcons at away

Week 13 Green Bay at away

Week 14 Tampa Bay at home ((Must win!))

Week 15 Denver Broncos at home

Week 16 New York Giants at away

Week 17 New Orleans at away

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 11 Minnesota Vikings at home

Week 12 Detroit Lions at away

Week 13 New Orleans at home

Week 14 Carolina Panthers at away ((Must win!))

Week 15 Atlanta Falcons at away

Week 16 Chargers at home

Week 17 Oakland at home

On a final note, if you are going to a Panther game this year, reserve your tickets for December 8^th. Barring shenanigans, that is where the season all boils down to is the Bucs/Panthers rivalry. Let's get the stadium all good and properly sold out like it's supposed to be.

Go Panthers!

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Falcons

I have to disagree a little. I believe they can stay in the fight. The Atlanta game in two week is huge.

by LittleKing on Nov 11, 2008 7:08 AM EST reply actions

They are playing better

and they destroyed the Saints. IMO, Kurt Warner is a better QB than Drew Brees.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 12, 2008 8:40 AM EST up reply actions

Atlanta plays Denver in the Georgia Dome

Atlanta has not lost at home and Denver, while they have a high powered offense, is very beatable. If they when that means our game against team either ties for the lead of the division (if we win against Det) or takes the lead (if we lose to Det).

Also, if their defense continues to play as they did against the Saints, then they are that much more dangerous. We’ll see what they can do this week.

by LittleKing on Nov 11, 2008 9:23 AM EST reply actions

I agree

Out of all the opponents left in our season, I actually fear you guys and the Bucs most of all. The Chargers have underachieved and the Broncos have one of the league’s weakest defenses.

I’m not convinced we’ll make it, but I don’t think it’s a total longshot.

by Dave Choate on Nov 11, 2008 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

With the Chargers sitting at 4-5

Than week 1 upset by the Panthers isn’t looking so spectacular. What does it say about the NFC south when we all feel our toughest remaining games are those int he conference. Of course, we play the Giants still, but otherwise the three division games look tougher than the others.

The Falcons are in no way out of it just one game back. They have to keep winning obviously but they have to be very positive at this point. That game next week will be key.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 12, 2008 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

It's clear the Falcons have improved, especially their offense with Ryan, Turner, and the improved O-Line

But when you look at the schedule of the Falcons, you really only spot one team you know they can beat easy, and that’s the Rams on the final week. You face group of teams that know how to stop the run, the highlight of which being the Minnosota Vikings who love to stack the box and blitz like crazy. As for the Chargers they may be underachieving so far. But I’ll attribute that to their pass defence, the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. They’re still pretty decent at stopping the run, and the Broncos have a great high powered passing offence so chances are that game will turn into a shootout. These next few weeks are going to be rough for you guys.

Now let me make this perfectly clear. I’m not bashing the Falcons. I think they’ve improved their team quite a bit, especially on offense with the the highlights of Matt Ryan and Turner the Burner. But when you compare their schedules to the Bucs and the Panthers, I just don’t them winning the NFC South. Matt Ryan is going to be heavily tested, and the passing game will have to be a great part of the game. If they can pull this off and even clinch a wildcard spot, then I will be suprised.

Good Luck.

"Once again the trowsers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Nov 11, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply actions

No disrespect taken

I’ll add the Denver Broncos to the win list, though. They couldn’t stop a PeeWee team, so if the Falcons can hold them even decently we’ve got a very real shot at winning.

I agree it’s a tough road, though. Good luck to you guys as well.

by Dave Choate on Nov 11, 2008 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

Falcons Stand A Chance

I think the Falcons stand almost as good a chance as the Panthers and Bucs in taking the South division. I’d give the edge to the Panthers, only because they are a game ahead, but if the Panthers were to lose to the Lions, that edge IMO would go to the Falcons. The Falcons have beaten some pretty good teams so far this season. They beat the Packers, Bears, and the Saints, they also beat the Raiders and looked better than the Panthers doing so by a score of 24-0. The Falcons are becoming more & more balanced every week, anyone who thinks they are not a threat for the South division is just fooling themselves.

by meanoreno on Nov 13, 2008 2:03 AM EST reply actions

You are correct IMO

The falcons still control their own destiny. win out and the NFC South is theirs. sure, its highly unlikely but stranger things have happened. Even if they just win out in their remaining divisional games might be enough.

My thinking is the rookie QB will prove to be a liability at some point and the Falcons fall short. But they could end up a wild card team.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Nov 13, 2008 8:54 AM EST up reply actions