4 key takeaways from the Panthers 2021 schedule release
By Dean Jones
Week 13 bye and a big rest for the Carolina Panthers
Having a Week 13 bye in 2020 was something that clearly impacted the Carolina Panthers in a detrimental fashion. Playing so many straight games took its toll on a young and relatively unproven roster at the time, which played a part in many key members of the roster going down with nagging injuries that cost them.
Thankfully, this experience should stand them in good stead during another Week 13 bye and it’s important the Panthers make the most out of this. Getting a solid period of rest should allow them to be fresh and firing on all cylinders for the critical period that follows, with the extra game in Week 18 another big factor that shouldn’t be overlooked.
If the Panthers are in a good position from a record standpoint at this stage of the campaign, spirits will be incredibly high within the camp.
Not only this, there will be a break from November 28-December 12, which is a massive break and the perfect time in no uncertain terms.
Only time will tell as to how this is going to play out for Carolina. They do have some outstanding players across both sides of the ball to call upon, but much will depend on whether Sam Darnold can prove he was a victim of his environment in New York or not.
It was a grueling process for the Panthers overall last season leading up to Week 13 and one only has to look at how things improved in certain areas down the stretch to see what an impact a bye in the same period could have on their overall aspirations.