Previewing the Remaining Carolina Panthers Schedule
Carolina Panthers remaining 2016 schedule:
Nov 17 vs. New Orleans Saints
Nov 27 @ Oakland Raiders
Dec 4 @ Seattle Seahawks
Dec 11 vs. San Diego Chargers
Dec 19 @ Washington Redskins
Dec 24 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Jan 1 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Currently the Panthers are sitting at a very disappointing 3-6, in a year where many expected the Panthers to be one of the best teams in the NFC. Let's preview the Panthers remaining seven games and look at where the Panthers may end up.
November 17 vs Saints. A Thursday night primetime home game. The Panthers should have the edge in this game. Though the Saints have a potent high powered offense and Drew Brees and put up points in bunches, the Panthers defense has gotten better since their bye week, and despite dropping the first game against the Saints 41-38, I don't think the Panthers defense will give up that many points this time. If the Panthers offense can find their rhythm, the Panthers should win this one. Panthers 34 - Saints 28
November 27 @ Raiders. The start of a very tough two weeks for the Panthers, with back to back west coast games against very good opponents. The Raiders are currently 7-3 and in 1st place in the AFC West. The Raiders have an outstanding offense and an above average, but not great defense. Oakland is one of the top five teams in the NFL right now, and playing at home are very tough. For Carolina to win this game, they would have to play the best game they have played all year, and I just don't see that happening. Raiders 31 - Panthers 14
December 4 @ Seahawks. The Panthers and Seahawks and developed quite the rivalry over the last few years, playing six times since 2012, four times in the regular season and twice in the playoffs. The Seahawks hold a 4-2 edge in the past six meeting, however the Panthers have won the last two meetings, beating Seattle 27-23 in the regular season last year in Seattle, and beating the Seahawks in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last year 35-28. The Panthers have some momentum in the rivalry and even with everything going against the Panthers in this game, I like the Panthers to pull the upset. Panthers 24 - Seahawks 21
December 11 vs Chargers. The Chargers are a much better team than their record indicates and will give the Panthers a very tough game. The Chargers came to Atlanta earlier this season and walked away with an overtime victory. So even though this is a game the Panthers should win, it's not win that can be taken for granted. But as I said earlier, I think the Panthers defense is starting to come together, and the Panthers have always played very well in December. I will take the Panthers in a close game here. Panthers 34 - Chargers 27
December 19 @ Redskins. The Josh Norman game. How will Norman react and play against his former team? That will undoubtedly be the story going into this game. However this could be a big game for the Redskins and their playoff hopes as well. This should be a really good game, and I'd expect it to be a high scoring game. Given that the game is in Washington and that the Redskins will have something to play for, I will give Washington an edge in this game. Redskins 24 - Panthers 20
December 24 vs, Falcons. The first time the Panthers and Falcons played, Julio Jones torched the Panthers secondary for over 300 yards, a Falcons franchise record, and Matt Ryan also set a franchise record with over 500 passing yards. The Panthers were however without cornerback James Bradberry in this matchup, although I'm not sure it would have made that much of a difference. But for as terrible as the Panthers played defensively, they still had a chance to win the game at the end. At home, on Christmas eve, the Panthers will cover Jones better and give their fans a Christmas Eve gift. Panthers 28 - Falcons 25
January 1 @ Buccaneers. Carolina lost a Monday Night game to the Bucs earlier this year 17-14, in a game without QB Cam Newton, in a game the Panthers had every opportunity to win. I believe the Panthers are a better team than the Bucs and both teams will just be playing for pride and momentum heading into the offseason as neither will be in position to make the playoffs. The Panthers always seem to close the regular season strong, and their talent is better than the Bucs talent. Panthers 35 - Bucs 24
I think the Panthers will finish the 2016 season with a 8-8 record and in a tie for second place in the NFC South. Although not impossible at this point, it is very hard to imagine a scenario where the Panthers are able to make the playoffs, so at this point, the chance that the Panthers do make the playoffs is 10%.
