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Predicting Carolina's 2019 record

As I've spent the last few rainy days in good ole North Carolina watching youtube videos about the Panthers and NFC South predictions for this next season, I figure on this rainy Sunday it is as good of a time as any to give my predictions for the Panther's 2019-2020 season...you know before the Panthers actually start playing and I start expecting them to lose every game.

My prediction(s) for last season, in response to Pete Priscos prediction, didn't turn out so well...even though I might have been closer to being right if Cam hadn't got injured, so here's hoping #1 can stay healthy this season. Also since it's a odd year, and since Rivera should/could be on the hot seat if this team doesn't have a good season, there should be some hope that the Panthers will be better this season than last.

So...finally...here are my thoughts/predictions for this coming season

Week 1: Panthers vs Rams: Week 1 against the NFC champs. Probably going to be a game that the Panthers are expected to lose...which is exactly why this is a game that they could very well win and pull the upset. The Rams struggled in the superbowl with the Patriots being able to get consistent pressure on Goff and holding the Rams to 62 rushing yards...The Panthers defense, especially now with the addition of McCoy, on paper looks very capable of doing the same. This is a game that, especially with this "brand new" and immproved defense led by Rivera, the Panthers could very well shock the experts/analyst and win. Prediction: Panthers 24 Rams 14

Week 2: Panthers vs Buccaneers: A Thursday night game...A short week for Carolina after what will probably be a physical game in week 1, but coming off a big win, the Panthers will find a way to beat the Bucs in what might be a bit of a sloppy Thursday night contest. The Bucs are the Bucs, Gerald McCoy will be looking for revenge...And until they move on from Winston that is probably not going to change. Prediction: Panthers 28 Buccaneers 21

Week 3: Panthers @ Cardinals: Assuming Kyler Murray is starting, this is a game where it's very likely that the Panthers aggressive 3-4 defense should be too much for a young, inexperienced QB in only his first season in the NFL. And while the Cardinals defense may have a few soild players, it won't be enough to slow down the Panthers offense enough. Prediction: Panthers 28 Cardinals 14

Week 4: Panthers @ Texans: The Texans could not protect Deshaun Watson last season. To help fix that they brought in Matt Kalil and drafted Tytus Howard...But that's probably not going to be enough to stop the Panthers front 7 from getting to Watson, and putting consistent pressure on him. The Texans have a solid defense also, and a star pass rusher in JJ Watt...A good test for the Panthers improved OL. This could turn into a defensive game, but this is a game the Panthers should win. Prediction: Panthers 28 Texans 21

Week 5: Panthers vs Jaguars: The Panthers return home to play the Jags in week 5. The Jags have a pretty good defense, and brought in Nick Foles to try to help out their offense after a rough 2018 season. Going to be interesting to see how Foles does with a new team and as the likely starter for 16 games, but anyway this is another game that the Panthers should win. Prediction: Panthers 31 Jaguars 17

Week 6: Panthers vs Buccaneers: The Panthers first trip over the pond to London. This is a game the Panthers should win aginst the Buccaneers. But in London, in week 6 with the bye week looming, I think the Panthers give this game away. Prediction: Buccaneers 24 Panthers 21

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: Panthers @ 49ers: How will the Panthers come out after the bye week? The 49ers have some really solid players on their defense...The biggest question for them is their offense. So if the Panthers offense comes out and does it's job, this is a game the Panthers should win. Think the Panthers offense will get off to a slow start in this game, but will find it's groove in the 2nd half. Prediction: Panthers 28 49ers 21

Week 9: Panthers vs Titans: At home versus the Tennessee Titans. Which Titans team will show up in Carolina? The team that beats New England handily or the team that loses to the Bills. Another game the Panthers should win. Prediction: Panthers 31 Titans 21

Week 10: Panthers @ Packers: At Green Bay, in November, aginst Aaron Rodgers...If Rodgers is healthy then I think the Panthers lose this one. It will be a close game, little higher scoring, but Rodgers pulls a win out in the 4th quarter. Prediction: Packers 35 Panthers 31

Week 11: Panthers vs Falcons: Seems like a lot of people are expecting the Falcons to be the biggest threat to the Saints, and while I'm probably a little biased, I just don't see it. The Falcons went 7-9 last season, and while yes injuries played a role, they still didn't do much to get better this offseason in my eyes. And this game is at home. Prediction: Panthers 35 Falcons 21

Week 12: Panthers @ Saints: Playing the Saints and Drew Brees in New Orleans late November. The defending division champs. What I believe will be two of the best teams in the NFC at this point in the season, will be battling it out for the division lead. Panthers will come up just short. Prediction: Saints 35 Panthers 31

Week 13: Panthers vs Redskins: At home against the Redskins. Panthers will be looking for some payback after losing to the Redskins last season...A game they shouldn't have lost, against a team they should have beat handily. Prediction: Panthers 35 Redskins 21

Week 14: Panthers @ Falcons: Round 2 against the Falcons in Atlanta. Falcons will be looking to split the series, Panthers will be looking for payback against Atlanta after getting swept in 2018. Again I don't think the Falcons are as good as many believe, and I think the Panthers have a lot to prove this season. Panthers defense comes up with some big defensive stops and forces a late turnover to seal the win in Atlanta. Prediction: Panthers 28 Falcons 24

Week 15: Panthers vs Seahawks: At home against the Seahawks, looking for revenge after last season. By this point in the season, the Panthers defense will be ranked as a top 5 unit in the league in my honest opinion, and they will once again show up in this game at home and dominate the Seahawks and Russell Wilson. Prediction: Panthers 28 Seahawks 14

Week 16: Panthers @ Colts: The Colts will likely be a good team this season, and this could be a trap game for the Panthers if they are looking ahead to the week 17 game against the Saints. This could also be a bit of a revenge game for Devin Funchess. So this is a game that could go either way. Prediction: Colts 28 Panthers 27

Week 17: Panthers vs Saints: In what could very well be the game that decides the NFC South, and possibly the #1 seed in the NFC, the Panthers will at least be on their home field. On their home field, the Panthers will come away with the big win, and likely the division, as they split the season series with the Saints. Prediction: Panthers 35 Saints 28.

Record Prediction: 12-4

The Panthers success this season hinges on two major factors, Cam Newton's health and the new and hopefully improved 3-4 defense. Especially after the addition of McCoy the Panthers front 7 is looking like one of the best in the NFL, and outside of the FS position, the secondary looks solid too. Bradberry, Cockrell, and Jackson should make a good trio at CB. Eric Reid should be solid at SS. And if Gualden can play solid FS and/or if the Panthers bring in Tre Boston later, this Panthers defense could easily be a top 5 defense in the league. And they could/should be a top 10 defense even with just average secondary/safety play. And as long as Cam can stay healthy and this improved OL can protect him, this offense with Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, etc should be at least a top 10 offense.

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