Carolina Panthers pre-draft 2021 record and division projections

Carolina Panthers will beat the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are another team that is very hard to pin down. When Dalvin Cook is healthy and running the ball well this team is capable of demolishing anyone. We have seen them beat what was thought to be a superior Saints team in the playoffs and against other playoff teams under Mike Zimmer.

Still, there is something about this unit I do not quite buy coming into the season. This game is going to be tightly contested but in the end, the Carolina Panthers’ offensive ability to find a big play might be the difference.

If Teddy Bridgewater were still at the helm I would pick the Vikings. But with new quarterback Sam Darnold the Panthers will hit enough big plays to pull this one out.

Winning this game is key for the success of the Panthers’ season. Dependent on when it is scheduled, this is one of the least interesting games on the docket for Carolina. Look for Matt Rhule’s men to take control early in this game and roll to another victory in Charlotte.

Carolina Panthers will lose to the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are the offseason darlings of the NFL always projected to win their division and find success in the postseason. So far that has translated to nothing except disappointment and failures.

Still, somehow I believe in Dak Prescott and this team’s ability to find a way back to relevance this season. While I am still hesitant to say they will win their division, they will win a lot more games including this one against the Carolina Panthers.

Perhaps no team has the position player depth the Cowboys boast. They have a top running back and three great receivers. While they are not the most talented position players top to bottom, objectively they are the deepest unit on paper.

It is for this reason and facing a healthy Prescott on the road, the Panthers will drop this game moving their projected record to .500.