2013 Carolina Panthers
It feels like Cam Newton has been in the league for longer than two years, but he’s still young and developing. He has put up some incredible numbers both passing and running, and is now a strong contender to be a top five fantasy quarterback every year. The one problem he’s had (besides having a lack of skill position talent around him) is being able to win games and be a better “real-life quarterback”. He’s like the opposite of Joe Flacco or Eli Manning, who are not top 10 fantasy quarterbacks but have the knack for winning games late. So in his third season, Newton is going to have to improve upon the little things: mechanics, progressions, making smarter decisions, making big throws in the fourth quarter, etc. He has all the talent in the world, so if he matures into an even better passer...watch out. The rest of the team is good enough to make a playoff push, but not great enough to win a championship yet. DeAngelo Williams looks like he is a one-year wonder, and at age 30, he might have one more productive season in his legs. Someone has to step up in the receiving corps to deflect attention away from the ever-aging Steve Smith. Odds are it will have to be Brandon LaFell, entering his fourth season, or veteran tight end Greg Olsen, who was marvelous towards the end of last season. The defense has a surprising amount of talent, especially in the front seven. Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy are quality defensive ends, and the Panthers may have found the (maybe already?) future best linebacker in the NFL, Luke Kuechly. Carolina finished 10th in yards per game allowed last season which is very good, but were only 18th in points per game allowed. Their secondary also struggled, only capturing 11 interceptions which ranked in the lower third of the league. There is talent here to be utilized, but Carolina has not been able to put all the pieces together yet, and I don’t know if they will ever be able to do so with Ron Rivera as head coach.
Schedule
The Carolina Panthers were 7-9 last year, but there are a couple of things that jump out when examining their schedule: they won five of their last six games (with the loss coming to the two-win Chiefs), and seven of the nine games they lost were by six points or less. This team easily could have won ten games but just couldn’t quite get there. Even though they were competitive in a lot of contests, the fact that they lost seven one-possession games proves my point that Cam needs to learn how to win in the fourth quarter. Let’s see if he can finally get the Panthers to the postseason.
Week 1: W vs SEA (UPSET ALERT BABY)
Week 2: L at BUF
Week 3: W vs NYG
Week 4: Bye
Week 5: L at ARI
Week 6: W at MIN
Week 7: W vs STL
Week 8: L at TB
Week 9: W vs ATL
Week 10: L at SF
Week 11: L vs NE (great MNF matchup)
Week 12: W vs MIA
Week 13: W vs TB
Week 14: W at NO
Week 15: W vs NYJ
Week 16: L vs NO
Week 17: L at ATL
If my predictions hold, the Carolina Panthers will have a 9-7 record in 2013 and push for a playoff spot. That December slate is devastating, with four divisional games surrounding what should be an easy win against the Jets. I do think that Cam will have another spectacular statistical season, and will also be better at closing at games, but I still think that this team is one dynamic offensive player away from joining the elite clubs in the NFC.
Bold Prediction: Greg Olsen will be a top 3 tight end, and Cam Newton will be a top 3 QB (fantasy-wise).
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