5 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers’ 2021 season

Carolina Panthers will end the 2021 season with a winning record

Now coming off the back of a 5-11 season this may seem like a stretch. However, their 2020 record could have been significantly improved if the Carolina Panthers had found a way to win tight games, losing eight of their 11 contest by less than a score.

Where the criticism for that lies remains to be seen. A lot was leveled at former quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for his poor clock management on final drives and his hesitancy or inability to throw the deep ball.

However, when Bridgewater was traded to the Denver Broncos he was quick to defend himself shifting some of the blame towards the Panthers’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady. On the “All Things Covered” podcast with Patrick Peterson and Byrant McFadden, he claimed Carolina barely practiced red zone or two-minute offense enough throughout the season.

Now not all the blame can be placed on the coaching staff. A plethora of poor decision-making from Bridgewater in the red zone and at the end of games didn’t help – it even caused Panthers fans to dub their signal-caller “check-down Teddy” for his reluctance to throw the ball deep in time-sensitive situations.

Although, in Bridgewater’s defense we have seen early signs of trouble in red-zone situations this preseason with the Panthers struggling to turn good field position into seven points.

As Brady now enters his second season, this is something he needs to work on to ensure success in Carolina.

With the obvious quality on defense and the abundance of talent in the offensive skill positions, if the Panthers can sort out complications inside the 20 and protection worries, a winning season may be in the offing.