Bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers as Matt Rhule looks to avoid more questions about his future against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.
High stakes, high pressure, and everything in between await the Carolina Panthers in Week 5. A disappointing start from some winnable fixtures means any further regression won’t be tolerated by a fanbase that’s becoming increasingly frustrated with the way things are unfolding under the leadership of Matt Rhule, David Tepper, and Scott Fitterer.
Next up for the Panthers is a tricky-looking encounter against the San Francisco 49ers, who sit at 2-2 but boast one of the league’s most feared defenses following a historic start to the campaign statistically. Not exactly the best proposition for a team going through some significant complications on offense.
There is a clear determination to turn things around. Whether that’ll be anything more than empty words is another matter entirely.
With that being said, we made four bold predictions for the Panthers against the Niners in Week 5.
Bold Prediction No. 1
Carolina Panthers hold Deebo Samuel under 50 yards
These are bold predictions, right?
Deebo Samuel is coming off his best game of the season in Week 4 and has steadily improved with every passing contest. This represents a huge challenge for the Carolina Panthers and especially considering the player will be looking to make a statement closer to home.
The likes of Jaycee Horn will be pivotal to shutting Samuel down. Wrapping him up at the point of attack is another crucial way the Panthers can limit his influence, although that’s easier said than done.
With that in mind, our first bold prediction is Carolina holding Samuel to under 50 receiving yards. Something the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks accomplished over the first two games of the campaign.
Carolina Panthers gain 5+ sacks
The San Francisco 49ers like to throw a lot of different looks around early and often during games on offense. This has proven to be hugely successful under Kyle Shanahan and something that poses a big problem for the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.
However, there could be a slight opening for Carolina to cause real havoc this weekend. The Niners will be without the league’s most fearsome left tackle Trent Williams due to injury, which gives Brian Burns the opportunity to bolster his numbers considerably after an impressive opening to the campaign.
Burns is looking for a mammoth payday from the Panthers next spring and is on the right path to attaining this. He is a constant menace flying off the edge and seems to be improving against the run to further enhance his status as a core foundational piece to any future achievements.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow cannot take the Niners lightly despite Williams’ absence. However, this is an area of the field he should attack heavily and Jimmy Garoppolo is nowhere near as mobile as Trey Lance under center.
San Francisco will likely deploy plenty of running plays over the first two downs, which complicates matters slightly. But if the Panthers can keep their opponents to third-and-long situations, it might be all Burns and his teammates need to capitalize.
Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore gains 100+ yards
It’s not been the start that wide receiver D.J. Moore envisaged in 2022. The former first-round pick hasn’t clicked with Baker Mayfield for the most part and looks lost within Ben McAdoo’s anemic offensive scheme, which is constantly holding the Carolina Panthers back despite improvements across the offensive line coupled with Christian McCaffrey’s return to health.
Moore did show some signs of life against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, bringing in six receptions from 11 targets for 50 receiving yards and also getting one carry for 11 rushing yards. But this is a far cry from the player we saw put up borderline elite numbers with almost no consistency under center over the past three years.
Although Moore received some criticism for his inability to get open, it’s evident this is a scheme issue more than anything else. McAdoo cannot find the right formula that puts his best playmakers in a position to thrive, which is also having an adverse effect on Mayfield in the process.
Things look increasingly bleak this Sunday against a San Francisco 49ers defense that looks exceptional at all three levels, leading the NFL in numerous key statistical categories. If the Panthers are to stand any hope of moving the football consistently, Moore must become one of McAdoo’s focal points alongside McCaffrey.
It seems like a long shot based on what we’ve seen so far. But we’ll back Moore to go over 100 all-purpose yards, in any case.
Carolina Panthers QB Baker Mayfield goes over 200 passing yards
This is where we are at with Baker Mayfield right now. Where 200 passing yards is actually a bold prediction rather than a realistic outcome.
The Carolina Panthers haven’t helped their quarterback in the slightest since he joined the team via trade from the Cleveland Browns. However, the problems that blighted the Oklahoma product since coming to the NFL as the No. 1 overall selection haven’t gone away and if anything, they are getting worse.
Whether it’s the batted passes, hesitancy going through his reads, or simply being inaccurate in key moments, Mayfield’s production must improve quickly if he wants to be considered as a starting-caliber signal-caller in 2023. But as stated previously, the San Francisco 49ers’ defense is legitimate and ruthless in equal measure.
Mayfield has his work cut out. A task made even more challenging by the fact Ben McAdoo’s game plans so far have been underwhelming at best.
San Fransisco will be acutely aware of the complications currently unfolding within Carolina’s offense. There will be no half-measures given by DeMeco Ryan’s unit, which will enhance their historic current path if they keep up production levels over the final 13 games.
This is where the Heisman Trophy winner must deliver and silence his increasing doubters. Whether Mayfield and the Panthers’ offense can get out of their own way first is another matter.