Fezzik said:
Everyone seems to be forgetting that this Carolina team started 2-8 in 2011 and 2012.
2013 was the home run year aberration. Losing organization. Suspect coach. Injureed qb that has had no time to work with new options. 2-8 again......
Well, the Seahawks started 2-6 in 2011 season and look how that turned out for them :)
It took time for Carolina to match the defense to the playmaking ability of Cam Newton. In 2011, Cam Newton was a rookie so a 2-8 start isn't very surprising. 5 of those 8 losses were within one-score and Panthers finished the season on a 4-2 run. A 6-10 final record.
In 2012, a similar scenario where 6 of their first 8 losses were by one-score, an average margin of only -3 PPG which is as small as it can get. So 6 of their first 8 losses were by an average of 3-points, and Panthers finished the year on a 5-1 run (that loss was also only by one-score margin). A 7-9 final record.
Seems to me like it's a team that was beginning to play well, finally figuring out how to start winning games. Last season's 12-4 mark wasn't a fluke, but was due to a patient development of the roster (especially on the defensive end) over the last 3 seasons.
This year Carolina WILL take a step back but it won't be as big as most people are proclaiming. I just don't see this team falling off the cliff with the type of defense they have and of course with Cam Newton on the offensive end. Unless Newton misses significant time due to a serious injury (not a cracked rib), I expect this team to be a tough out pretty much every game this season.