2014 PanthersSeason Predictions
The Carolina Panthers will head into the 2014 season looking to build on a remarkable 12-4 season last year that saw them win the NFC South and elevate to near elite status in the NFL.
Let’s take a look.
- Carolina Panthers Odds to win the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX 40/1
- Carolina Panthers Odds to win the 2015 NFC Conference 22/1
- Carolina Panthers Odds to Win the 2014 NFC South +450
Carolina will have an elite defense once again and it is a good thing – a look at the Panthers’ offense and the players that they lost in the offseason reveals a team that doesn’t figure to score a lot of points – at least early on when the rash of newcomers acclimate themselves to Cam Newton.
Can the Panthers streak to another division crown? Or are the offensive deficiencies on this team just too much to overcome?
As previously mentioned – the Panthers were all about defense last year – the offense was OK but not at the level of the typical 12-4 team. Greg Hardy (15 sacks last year) and Charles Johnson (11 sack last season) make up one of the best pass rushing tandems in the game – no reason to think there is a major drop-off in their output. Carolina drafted defensive end Kony Ealy in the second round which only serves to strengthen the uber-solid front.
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Simply put – the Carolina Panthers have a stellar D-line – one that will keep them in almost every game and may even steal a game or two along the way. Now for the linebackers – also terrific. Luke Kueckly and Thomas Davis wreaked havoc last season and made up for the lack of a stud third linebacker.
Kuechly is the defending NFL defensive Player of the Year for a reason – he’s darn good!
The Carolina Panthers took a hit on the offensive side of the ball this past offseason – all four of their starting receivers departed. Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn and Domekik Hixon and their 2000 yards receiving to go along with 15 TDs will have to be replaced somehow.
It’s not like this unit was the envy of the league or anything. In fact, all four were a bit of an embarrassment including Steve Smith whose production has plummeted the last few seasons.
The Panthers ranked 29ths in passing last year and the receivers have to take a good portion of the blame!
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So what did management do? They went out and got Jerricho Cotchery, Tiquan Underwood and Jason Avant – unflattering to say the least! The Panthers did select Kelvin Benjamin in the first round of this year’s draft to plug the gaping hole a tad but his development may take some time leaving Cotchery and Avant to be the centerpieces off the bat. Ugh!
Greg Olsen still exists as Cam Newton’s only reliable target.
Carolina will also have an OK set of running backs heading into the season, albeit an overpaid set! DeAngelo Williams is now on the wrong side of 30 years old and Jonathan Stewart is as injury prone a back as there is in the NFL. The pair had another OK season last year but fell victim to horrendous offensive line play – something that didn’t exactly work itself out this past offseason.
That leaves Cam Newton to do all of the heavy lifting for the Carolina Panthers and believe me – the lifting will be heavy.
If there is one player that can do it – Cam is the man but without his stud left tackle Jordan Gross, an unflattering running game and a receiving corp. made of recycled players, it is difficult to imagine Cam not having to run for his life.
Panthers Betting Prediction:
By now you should get the idea that I don’t really have a ton of faith in the Carolina Panthers this upcoming season – the offense just isn’t where it needs to be to be one of the top dogs again.
Add in the fact that they will play a first place schedule and the prospects of another 12-4 season and AFC South title seem like a pipe dream.
Cam will be running for his life in 2014 as a new group of receivers takes time to get on his page. A leaky O-line gives him zero protection along the way. Expect a major step backward as the Panthers finish 9-7 at best this year – Under the 10 win total Vegas has set out and out of the playoffs.
With training camps nearly over the NFL betting season is here at Cappers Picks. NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.
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