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Carolina Panthers Predictions: 2018 Regular Season Record Version 1.0

By Nick Yon

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates during the second half of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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A prediction of how well (or bad) the Carolina Panthers will do during the 2018 season.

A ton is still projected to happen during the offseason: free agency, the draft, and trades. However, that won’t stop a ridiculous prediction of how well (or bad) the Panthers will do during the 2018 season. For the sake of this exercise, there are some assumptions that have been made in regards to how the offseason will play out.

One more thing before starting. A version 2.0 will be posted after the official schedule is finalized. A version 3.0 will be posted after the conclusion of free agency. A version 4.0 will be released after the draft.  A final version, 5.0  will be written after a majority of offseason trades have been completed.

All information regarding the Panthers’ 2018 opponents has been taken from the official Carolina Panthers’ website.

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Home Games:

The Carolina Panthers’ home opponents are the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Seattle Seahawks.

  • Atlanta Falcons: Win In week 17 of the 2018 season, the Panthers’ defense held the Falcon’s explosive offense in check. What failed was the offensive side of the ball. Assuming the Panthers can pick up an explosive wide receiver in the draft and Norv Turner works magic, the Panthers pick up this win.
  • Saints: Win This will be a rough, gritty win at home. Remembering the bitter playoff loss, the Panthers’ defense will force a turnover in this game. Make no mistake, this is a game that is won because of home field advantage.
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win The Buccaneers’ defense will be its downfall. The lack of an edge threat will especially hurt them against the offensive line of the Panthers. This will be a breakout game for Christian McCaffrey. You heard it here first.
  • Dallas Cowboys: Win It’s undeniable that the Cowboys boast one of the most impressive offensive juggernauts in the league. However, their defense is weak, and Cam can pick that secondary to pieces.
  • New York Giants: Loss Already anticipating angry tweets, the Giants are primed for a bounce back season, especially if they choose to select running back phenomenon Saquon Barkley. Also, that secondary is no joke.
  • Baltimore Ravens: Loss  Baltimore is another team with a secondary that will give Cam Newton too many problems. Their offense is formidable with quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Alex Collins, and kicker Justin Tucker.
  • Cincinnati Bengals: Win The biggest problem the Bengals have is their head coach Marvin Lewis, who cannot get them to double digit wins consistently. Luckily, the Bengals just resigned Lewis to an extension. With no coaching changes, Andy Dalton won’t be able to take his Bengals past the Panthers.
  • Seattle Seahawks: Win Poor Russell Wilson. The man has to run the entire offense, and his defense is getting older. The Seahawks are entering a reloading phase that will take at least two drafts.  This will be a close game, but the Panthers’ defense will prove strong in the end.

Away Games:

The Carolina Panthers’ away opponents are the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions.

  • Atlanta Falcons: Loss Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the most underrated home field advantage in the entire league. Julio Jones and Matt Ryan will find a rhythm  in this one and ultimately win a high scoring game.
  • New Orleans Saints: Loss The running back duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram is elite. While the Panthers’ incredible linebackers (LUUUUKE) were able to hold them in the playoff, look at what Drew Brews did to the secondary. Oh, yeah, they’re at home too.
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win See above.
  • Philadelphia Eagles: Win Insanity? Nope, the Panthers were that close to beating the Eagles when Cam threw a late game interception. Eliminate that interception, and Cam and company beat the Super Bowl Champions. Also, teams aren’t that good the following season after they win a Super Bowl (unless you’re the Patriots).
  • Washington Redskins: Win Why on earth would you trade for Alex Smith? Kirk Cousins > Alex Smith. Alex Smith excelled last year due to a connection with the fastest receiver in the league and an incredible rookie running back. Alex Smith throws a rare interception to let the Panthers win.
  • Cleveland Browns: Win If the Panthers lose this one, tears will be shed.
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: Win The expected signing of Le’ Veon Bell will take too much money away from a defense that desperately needs an infusion of free agent talent. The defense will be even weaker without Ryan Shazier, and Cam will have a big day on the road.

    • Detroit Lions: Win

    Matt Patricia already has grey hairs  because of Cam. Cam will put a few more in there with a big day through the air.

    Next: Next Post

    Final Prediction: The Panthers end the season 12-4 as probably the #2 or #3 seed.

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