Key forgotten aspect of Carolina Panthers 2018 season
Carolina Panthers late season slide leaves them being overlooked this year.
Following an impressive run after finishing 6-10 (2016), the Carolina Panthers made a return to the playoffs and nearly earned a wild card victory but three losses to New Orleans ruined a quality 2017 season. Expectations were high entering last year and initially the Panthers appeared ready to meet them head on from the start.
Opening with a home victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina won six of their first eight games positioning themselves for both a return to the playoffs and first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. Then came an agonizing defeat on national television at the hands of Pittsburgh as quarterback Cam Newton re-injured his shoulder setting the tone for a disastrous second half.
With Newton unable to throw the ball effectively down the field, the Panthers were extremely limited in their play selection and relied heavily on running back Christian McCaffrey, in addition to short, quick hitting routes. The end results didn’t pan out as Carolina lost seven straight but there is a silver lining that many have either forgotten about or are choosing to ignore.
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Over the seven game losing streak, with an injured quarterback and abbreviated play book, the Panthers lost five of seven by one score or less – three needing just a field goal. Yes, the defensive front was stagnant and needed to be revamped but both units nearly kept the Panthers hopes alive.
Two losses, both by three points each, came to eventual playoff teams in the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints but this year many analysts continue to project another mediocre season for Carolina. The Panthers lost some pivotal pieces of the franchise in center Ryan Kalil, defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Thomas Davis but general manager Marty Hurney has used the offseason to improve the team as a whole.
No one knows how each of the new additions will pan out but expectations are of an improved roster since the regular season ended last year. If so, then failing to ignore the fact Carolina was one of the top teams in the league before Week 10 and nearly able to remain relevant despite monumental adversity is misleading.
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It has resulted in an underdog role to start 2019 but don’t be surprised when, if healthy, this team begins piling up wins this season.