5 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers’ 2021 season
By Nick Halden
Here are five bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers ahead of a hugely important 2021 season for head coach Matt Rhule and his players.
The Carolina Panthers offseason progressing quickly and we now have a good idea of how the roster will shake up for the regular season, barring any significant changes at training camp. Not only for Matt Rhule’s men but for the rest of the NFC South.
The Panthers had a solid offseason and could make a huge jump in 2021. They have a roster stacked with offensive talent and are in a division with the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints – two teams who will be facing a lot of questions during the upcoming campaign.
With this in mind, let us take a look at five bold predictions for the Panthers next season.
Bold Prediction No. 1
With no Julio Jones, the Carolina Panthers will sweep the Saints and Falcons in 2021
The Falcons haven’t been the same since their infamous Super Bowl collapse against Tom Brady’s New England Patriots. However, with the prospect of having Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and rookie Kyle Pitts, they appeared to have an offense capable of hanging with any team.
This excitement was short-lived with Jones revealing on FS1’s Undisputed he was leaving Atlanta. Shortly thereafter, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans, and the Falcons’ window to contend potentially closed.
Without Jones, Atlanta’s offense looks far less daunting, it isn’t a stretch to say the Carolina Panthers now have the better offensive and defensive units.
This trade swung the pendulum in Carolina’s favor.
Perhaps calling for the new-look Panthers to sweep the Falcons isn’t a bold prediction. However, calling for them to sweep the Saints certainly is.
I don’t believe in Jameis Winston and I certainly don’t believe in a gadget player lining up under center all season. New Orleans is set to take the biggest step back in the NFC and the Panthers will benefit from it the most.