FanPost

We've been so focused about individuals and positions, ...

I wanted to present a post that's more focused on team performance.  To do so, I have chosen to utilize '09 average Points Scored and Points Allowed per game as a benchmark to start from.  I've also included our abysmal special teams ranking as an important factor.  Based on the '09 team as compared to what we know about the '10 team, I'm making some admittedly arbitrary guesses on how things will play out.  I hope you enjoy what lies below the line. (Should that have read the things we think we think we might think we know? -- Aghh, King, get outta my head)

2009 Panthers Points Scored:

Rk

Pts/G

TotPts

Pts/G

Rsh

Rec

PRet

KRet

INT

FUM

Blk FG

Blk Pnt

XPM

FGM

SFTY

2-PT

21

19.7

315

19.7

18

16

0

0

1

0

0

0

31

22

2

2

2009 Panthers Points Allowed:

Rk

Pts/G

TotPts

Pts/G

Rsh

Rec

PRet

KRet

INT

FUM

Blk FG

Blk Pnt

XPM

FGM

SFTY

2-PT

9

19.2

308

19.2

15

14

1

1

3

2

0

0

33

19

0

1

Special Teams (ugh): By RICK GOSSELIN / The Dallas Morning News

The NFL's 32 teams are ranked in 22 kicking-game categories and assigned points according to their standing in each category (one for the best through 32 for the worst). This is a composite score for those categories:

      32.  Carolina Panthers   473 points   (#1 was Cleveland at 215.5 points)

I think there's a lot to be gleaned from these numbers.  First, I think the Panthers will fare much, much better on special teams.   If you look at the stats above, you'll see the Panthers had no returns for scores, but allowed a PR and a KR.  Even more importantly will be improved starting field position on both sides.  I'm going to guess the difference to be 2 points on both the Scored and Allowed columns, resulting in adjusted Points Scored of 21.7 and Points Allowed of 17.2.

Looking now at the Pick-6's and Fumbles Returned, you'll see we had 3 pick-6's and 2 fumbles returned against, compared to the single pick-6 scored by Peppers.  Most agree that offensively we have taken a step forward (especially at QB). I'm going to award a conservative 2 points per game scored by the offense, if for no other reason than we should have the ball more simply by not turning it over so much (Jake).  Points Scored 23.7

Reducing the turnovers against, including those for scores, one could argue that Points Allowed will go down even more.  However, given the question marks at DL and the serious injury to a key LB, I don't feel inclined to prognosticate on this one, so I'll call it a wash.

So the 2010 final tally by my admittedly arbitrary predictions: Points Scored 23.7, Points Allowed 17.2 for an avg differential of +6.5.

To provide a little added perspective, New Orleans in '09 had a differential of +10.6, Indy was +6.8, Minn. was +9.9, Dallas was +7.0.

I hope you guys will have fun with this, and maybe it'll help ease the pain of a bad week.  Feel free to politlely contradict any of my guesses (yeah, like I need to say that here).  You could even argue that the team that outscores his opponent doesn't always win -- that would be fun (but when you're looking at the avg. differential, it is true).  I would really enjoy reading how you guys would apply your own beliefs against the baseline numbers, and whether you think it translates to a playoff run or better.  Personally, I'm still thinking playoffs.

GO PANTHERS!!!

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