No Time for Sulking, Panthers Must Win Today

The Panthers suffered one of their toughest loses in recent memory, losing to the New York Giants 34-28 in an OT thriller this past Sunday. In a game which the Panthers blew a 21-10 lead, then had a John Kasay 50 yarder at the end of regulation get pushed by the gust from Hell, then a muffed Giants punt that was just barely missed by Richard Marshall, then an 84 yard run by Derrick Ward to set up the game winning touchdown. To say this was a tough, demoralizing loss is to put it mildly.

However, the Panthers need to get their shizz together today as the travel to New Orleans to face the 8-7 Saints. The Saints, minus Reggie Bush, will have plenty of incentive to knock off the Panthers, so they will be no pushovers. Not only can they screw over the Panthers, but they would also have a winning season at 9-7 with the win. Not to mention that Drew Brees is like 400 something yards away from Dan Marino's single season passing yards record. Though unlikely, the Saints will probably be launching the ball down the field all game long and if Brees gets hot, it's going to be trouble for the Panthers because number 9 has been dominant at home this year. Oh yeah, and no NFC South team has won a game on the road against each other this year.

That trend will end today, my friends. Why? Because the Panthers have been unstoppable on offense for the most part over the past several weeks. They've scored at least 28 points in every game since their 17-6 win over the Raiders. DeAngelo Williams has been a straight beast, and has been the best running back in the league since the midway point this season. One of the things that goes unsaid about Mr. Williams is that he hasn't fumbled this season. Not once. With guys like Adrian Peterson fumbling the ball like it's his job, D-Will has protected the rock like it's his baby. Not to mention that he's scored 4 touchdowns in 2 of the last 4 games and leads the league in that all important category with 20 overall touchdowns (18 rushing, 2 receiving). Add Jonathan Stewart and, of course, Steve Smith to the mix and the Panthers should make mince meat out of New Orleans' soft defense.

Panthers 31, Aints 24

Get Ready for the Snubs

The NFL will announce the Pro Bowl selections in about an hour on NFL Network. Now, I could really care less about the Pro Bowl because I feel that it's too big a risk for a serious injury. I'll never forget the highly overrated Roy Williams' cheap shot on Marvin Harrison (I think it was Marvin, anyway) a couple of years ago, which is why dirty players like him shouldn't been in the Pro Bowl (thank the Lord Williams isn't in the Pro Bowl this year).

However, on the other hand, I like to see my Panthers get some respect and make it to the All-Star Exhibition. But, unfortunately, the Pro Bowl vote is placed too highly on the fan voting. It's nice to reward fans for buying tickets, increasing ratings, buying jerseys and other memorabilia. But, fans, for the most part, are just biased and want to see their favorites in the game. Again, it's honorable for the NFL to this for their fans, but when the Washington Redskins who have tanked late in the year have the most players voted in with the fan vote, you realize that it's a bunch of bull.

Take DeAngelo Williams for example. He's been a scoring machine this year, leading the NFL in total touchdowns and as been a key part of Carolina's 11-3 run so far this year. He'll likely get snubbed for Clinton Portis. Williams is averaging a ridiculous 5.5 yards per carry on his way to 1229 yards, 14 rushing TDs, and even added 2 more through the air to give him 16 total TDs on the year. Let's compare that to Clinton Portis, who's a Redskin and subject to the unreal Washington voter turnout. He's had a pretty good year, truth be told. But, he has less than half the TDs (7) that Williams has and the only real advantage for him is yards (1337), but you don't win football games on yards, you win by scoring which Williams has significantly scored more than Portis. He's also averaging a whole yard less than Williams per carry (4.6). If Williams isn't in the Pro Bowl alongside Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner...something is seriously wrong.

About the only 2 locks for the Panthers (and they could still miss out) are WR Steve Smith and DE Julius Peppers. Smith, despite missing the first 2 games, has over 1200 receiving yards, but he hasn't found the endzone that much this year (6). But, Smith has been instrumental in setting up short yardage TDs for Williams and Stewart, just see the Green Bay game again to know what I mean. Peppers is having a bounce back year and has been a tear with 12.5 sacks and and 5 forced fumbles.

Some players that will get snubbed for sure later on today are as follows: MLB Jon Beason, the heart and soul of the defense and among the league leaders with 122 tackles and has added 3 INTs as well. CB Chris Gamble, who has been a shut down corner this year despite the Panthers giving up big yards in the passing game of late. He's had several dropped INTs, so he'd be a lock if he could hold on to the ball more (which is surprising, as he played WR a lot in college). I also think that John Kasay will get snubbed, his only miss this year was a 54 yard attempt.

So, there you have it. It's entirely possible that the 11-3 Carolina Panthers could have as few as 1 or not send anybody to the Pro Bowl all together. Let's hope that the Players and Coaches can help the Panthers along and next year, let's hope that the Redskins homers aren't anywhere near computers!

Panthers Dominant, In Control of their Own Destiny

So, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an untouchable defense, right? So, the Panthers are "not legit", right? The Panthers proved all the talking heads wrong, dominanting the unstoppable Bucs (if you listen to the media). This was a huge game, that had a huge game atmosphere to it. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams were dominant, rushing for a combined 300 yards and 4 TDs. I can't remember the last time I saw a 4 play, 90 yard drive which consisted of 4 runs like I saw tonight. Remember that Washington Pre-Season game? This was much like that.

Steve Smith was also dominant, catching all 9 passes thrown his way for 117 yards and a TD. Delhomme had a mediocre performance, but the 2 picks he threw were the result of outstanding plays by Barber and Phillips, so you have to give credit where credit is due. The first pick probably shouldn't have been thrown, Barber just made a great break on the ball. The 2nd pick, just an outstanding effort by Phillips. So, it's hard to harp too badly on Jake, though a lot of Carolina fans and media folks will. Calling Delhomme the weakest link on this team is ludicrous. Please tell me the Panthers are 10-3 with Josh McCown under center. Delhomme is the undisputed leader of this team, which makes up for his lacking in superior talent.

The Defense was hit or miss tonight, with the secondary once again getting lit up for a few big plays. However, that long TD by Antonio Bryant was the result of Bryant stiff arming Lucas to the ground, yet somehow Lucas getting called for the penalty. B.S.! Our pass rush did something that they haven't done against Garcia, they put a licking on him to the tune of 5 sacks. Also, our run defense was stellar tonight, holding the Caddy and Dunn in check. Also, that goal line stand in the 1st quarter was huge.

All in all, an impressive performance by boys tonight. It doesn't get much better than that. Has anyone else noticed that the Panthers have scored 132 points in their last 4 games? That's 33 points per game. The Defense carried the Panthers the first half of the year, and now the offense is returning the favor. If the Defense can get back to their dominant ways, and the offense keeps putting up points...watch out! The Panthers should now be on everybody's radar, and it's up to the Panthers to live up the hype they'll receive. With their destiny fully in their hands, the Panthers have a chance to go 13-3 and control home field advantage. It won't be easy, as the Broncos and Giants are playoff teams (and the Saints always tough at home) but the Panthers don't have to sit back and hope other teams lose.

As a side note: In my Fantasy Football keeper league, I was down 76-25 in the 1st round of the playoffs going into tonight's game. But DeAngelo Williams, Steve Smith, Jon Beason, and the Carolina Defense/Special Teams carried me to a 78-76 win!

Cardiac Cats Do It Again

Here we go again! That's what I was thinking as the score of the Panthers game read 28-21 in favor of the Packers, which made working today all the more tough. The Panthers had built a 21-10 lead going into the break and I was feeling pretty good about it. But, then the Panthers defense (which has been the case since the bye, for the most part) couldn't stop a JV squad as Aaron Rodgers just picked apart the Panthers secondary. In total, "A-Rod" (c'mon Packers fans....) threw for just under 300 yards and 3 scores. What has happened to the Panthers once dominant defense?

But, Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith would not go away, as the two hooked up for essentially identical plays, setting up 2 of D-Will's 4 rushing TDs to give the Panthers the 35-31 critical victory. The 2nd of Delhomme's long completions to Smitty was one of the most athletic, sheer will catches I have seen in a long time. He actually caught the back of the football. How he held on to it, I don't know.

Boy, oh, boy. Nothing comes easy for these crazy Cardiac Cats.

So, now the Panthers stand at 9-3 with a reeling defense that has given up, get this, over 90 points their last 3 games. Are you kidding me? But, the Panthers have also been scoring a ton of points of late themselves, and they've gone 2-1 during this stretch of invisible defense. Can we really feel good about that?

The Panthers will look for some get back next Monday night, as the Tamba Bay Succaneers (...I mean, Buccaneers...) at home, where the good guys are 6-0 this season. We all remember what happened to the Cats last time they played the Sucs, they got their asses thoroughly kicked back to Carolina. Can they rebound. Sources say: yes.

Panthers 29, Sucs 20

"Smash and Dash" Getting it Done, Panthers Standing Strong at 8-2

Guess which team NOBODY is talking about right now? They are 8-2, 3rd best team in the NFL. They've blown out several teams and have found ways to win when they are not playing their best. Still don't know? Not many do, but it's the Carolina Panthers who have quietly become one of the league's best teams after a disappointing 7-9 campaign last year. I'm sure the Panthers are fine with that. With everybody talking about the Titans and Giants (deservedly) and the NFC East (overrated) the Panthers are sitting right below the radar.

Following a disappointingly ugly win on the road against the Raiders last week (Jake, seriously?), Carolina found themselves down 10-0 early against the hapless Lions....that was until the Panthers figured out the Lions couldn't stop a JV team's running game. I mean, seriously, Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are talented backs, but I don't see how you give up 250 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Oh, and it took just 30 carries to do that! It reminded me of that absolute beatdown the Panthers handed the Redskins in the preseason. Oh, and let's not forget about Julius Peppers, who is playing like a man amongst children as he had 2 more sacks and 2 more forced fumbles. Let's hope he stays hot.

The Panthers, though, played down the Lions allowed them to stay in the game most of the way. Jake Delhomme was victimized by some dropped passes, as he threw for under 100 yards 2 games in row, challenging David Carr. But, when you gain 264 yards on the ground, you don't need to pass. Still, it would be nice to see the Steve Smith/Jake Delhomme connection get rolling again, especially with the nearly brutal schedule coming up for the Panthers.

Next week, the Panthers can all but knock the 6-4 Falcons out of the NFC South/Wildcard race with a victory this weekend. Should the Panthers win, they will have essentially a 4 game lead on the Dirty Birds (3 official plus the tiebreaker). Maybe then, the media will stop talking about Matt Ryan and the Falcons (who get more love than the Panthers, who soundly beat Atlanta 24-9 already...) It should be a tough, interesting game.

My Pick: Panthers 24, Falcons 13

Panthers On Track, 6-2 Going into Bye

Wow, it has been a while. Work has been terrible, so I really haven't felt like writing or anything when I am not there. I just want to chill and not do much of anything. It's amazing how an NFL team can get you through what whatever you are going through. For me, right now, the Panthers success has kept me going. Maybe that's a bad thing, a sign of where I'm at in life right now (still single, not sure what I'm going to do to support myself after this year, etc.) But the Panthers have been giving me something to look forward to and something to be hyped about right now.

Anyway, enough about me, let's talk about the Panthers. This has been a season of ups and downs already. This team has truly become "Cardiac Cats II" and this past come from behind win over Arizona continues the trend. The Panthers came back from the dead, down 17-3 early in the 3rd, to win it 27-23. DeAngelo Williams and Steve Smith gave us 2 incredible touchdowns and unsung heroes Kemoeatu and Charles Godfrey made game changing/saving plays. In the end, Carolina came out on top, giving us another thrilling finish. This team is much different from that team in that the Panthers have had some blowout victories along with their last second, come from behind wins that are reminiscent of that magical 2003 season. I think this team is a bit better in comparison, though both teams have their strengths and weaknesses.

This year also marked the 1st time that I made the trek from the butthole of Ohio (Cincinnati) to Charlotte to see my boys play. The game I went to was the 34-0 beatdown of the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a great experience and I should have posted a blog about it, but I just was so beat when I got back and I had a great time. I wish I lived in Charlotte (or anywhere other than Cincy, to be honest) so I could go to more games.

Anyway, that's all I got. It's going to be easier to get through this bye week thanks to the win. If they had lost, it would be an agonizing wait for the Oakland game. See you in 2 weeks!

Panthers Lose Ugly, Despite Return of Smitty

Despite the return of Steve Smith, who finished with 70 yards on 4 catches, the Panthers (2-1) lose a tough one to the desperate Vikings (1-2) on the road. It was an ugly game all around, but it didn't start out that way. Carolina jumped on Minnesota early as they built a 10-0 2nd Quarter lead. But, a Jake Delhomme fumble (1 of 3 on the day) Antoine Winfield took it the distance and tied the game at 10 going into the locker room, giving Minnesota all the momentum they would need. The Panthers defense was solid all game long..except for the 3rd quarter. After giving up a quick TD to start the half, giving Minny a 17-10 lead, the Vikings absolutely wore out the defense on 19 play, 12 minute drive which only ended in a FG, but gave the Vikings Defense a huge rest. The Panthers were simply not able tomove the ball against the fresh, pass rushing defense of Minnesota. Equally disturbing were all of the penalties on Carolina. False starts, holdings, you name it, the Panthers offense did it.


Now, it's no time to panic. The Panthers are still in a 3 way tie for 1st with Tampa Bay and Atlanta. But, it's clear that the Panthers have a lot of work to do. It doesn't get any easier as the upstart Falcons come to town this week. The Falcons, laughing stocks last year, are now 2-1 so far. After facing LT and Adrian Peterson, the Panthers now get to face off against Michael Turner, who is off to a hot start. It will be a tough test in an early divisional game, to be sure.