OVERVIEW
The Carolina Panthers followed up a 15-1 season and Super Bowl appearance in 2015 with a 6-10 season a year ago. The loss of Josh Norman had a significant effect on the secondary and Cam Newton took a beating at quarterback. This season, the team looks to turn things around and return to the top of the NFC with the addition of several key players.
OFFENSE
Key Additions: OT Matt Kalil, WR Russell Shepard, HB Christian McCaffrey, WR Curtis Samuel, OT Taylor Moton
Keeping Newton healthy was a focus for the Panthers in the offseason. They brought in free agent Kalil and drafted Moton to help shore up the tackle positions. Carolina also wanted to give Newton some additional weapons and improve an offense that was in the middle of the league in both scoring and total yards a year ago. Rookies McCaffrey and Samuel provide big play ability as well as youth and athleticism to the lineup. Shepard adds a veteran option in the slot as either the #3 or #4 receiver.
DEFENSE
Key Additions: S Mike Adams, CB Captain Munnerlyn, DE Julius Peppers
The Carolina defense struggled against the pass after losing Norman finishing 29th in pass yards allowed. They attempted to upgrade the secondary by bringing back former Panther Munnerlyn as well as adding Adams who is a reliable safety. The Panthers also hope an improved pass rush would aid the secondary and they hope the return of Peppers can bring much needed pressure on 3rd downs. Carolina does return a solid front seven that ranked 6th against the run a year ago.
SCHEDULE
@ San Francisco - CPU
BUFFALO - MackDaddy
NEW ORLEANS - Wolfmode88
@ New England - Jrk1d
@ Detroit - CPU
PHILADELPHIA - blahblahyea7
@ Chicago - Paytonno1son
@ Tampa Bay - Jay2149
ATLANTA - CPU
MIAMI - BroccoBeef
@NY Jets - wyrmreaver
@ New Orleans - Wolfmode88
MINNESOTA - GoneFishin615
GREEN BAY - pack1797
TAMPA BAY - Jay2149
@ Atlanta - CPU
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2017
A favorable schedule presents an opportunity for the Panthers to return to one of the premier teams in the NFC. An early season showdown with New England will say a lot about what this team will look like this year. Two games against Tamp Bay as well as match-ups against Miami and Chicago could be the biggest challenges this year outside of the Patriots and defending NFC South champions Atlanta.
The Carolina Panthers followed up a 15-1 season and Super Bowl appearance in 2015 with a 6-10 season a year ago. The loss of Josh Norman had a significant effect on the secondary and Cam Newton took a beating at quarterback. This season, the team looks to turn things around and return to the top of the NFC with the addition of several key players.
OFFENSE
Key Additions: OT Matt Kalil, WR Russell Shepard, HB Christian McCaffrey, WR Curtis Samuel, OT Taylor Moton
Keeping Newton healthy was a focus for the Panthers in the offseason. They brought in free agent Kalil and drafted Moton to help shore up the tackle positions. Carolina also wanted to give Newton some additional weapons and improve an offense that was in the middle of the league in both scoring and total yards a year ago. Rookies McCaffrey and Samuel provide big play ability as well as youth and athleticism to the lineup. Shepard adds a veteran option in the slot as either the #3 or #4 receiver.
DEFENSE
Key Additions: S Mike Adams, CB Captain Munnerlyn, DE Julius Peppers
The Carolina defense struggled against the pass after losing Norman finishing 29th in pass yards allowed. They attempted to upgrade the secondary by bringing back former Panther Munnerlyn as well as adding Adams who is a reliable safety. The Panthers also hope an improved pass rush would aid the secondary and they hope the return of Peppers can bring much needed pressure on 3rd downs. Carolina does return a solid front seven that ranked 6th against the run a year ago.
SCHEDULE
@ San Francisco - CPU
BUFFALO - MackDaddy
NEW ORLEANS - Wolfmode88
@ New England - Jrk1d
@ Detroit - CPU
PHILADELPHIA - blahblahyea7
@ Chicago - Paytonno1son
@ Tampa Bay - Jay2149
ATLANTA - CPU
MIAMI - BroccoBeef
@NY Jets - wyrmreaver
@ New Orleans - Wolfmode88
MINNESOTA - GoneFishin615
GREEN BAY - pack1797
TAMPA BAY - Jay2149
@ Atlanta - CPU
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2017
A favorable schedule presents an opportunity for the Panthers to return to one of the premier teams in the NFC. An early season showdown with New England will say a lot about what this team will look like this year. Two games against Tamp Bay as well as match-ups against Miami and Chicago could be the biggest challenges this year outside of the Patriots and defending NFC South champions Atlanta.
