If the Carolina Panthers keep their usual pattern, this will be a down year with possibly a losing record. Over the last five seasons, the Panthers have followed a winning campaign with a sub .500 effort.
After going 12-4 in 2013, Carolina finished 7-8-1 in 2014 (but still made the playoffs). A 15-1 2015 berthed a 6-10 2016. Last year, the Panthers put up an 11-5 record so, you know, you have to wonder.
Have the oddsmakers at BetDSI Sportsbook factored that in? It kind of looks like it considering the over-under season win total odds they’re offering. Take a gander at them yourself.
Carolina Panthers 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 8 (-140)
Under 8 (+110)
The truth is, in the entire history of the Panthers organization, going back to their first season in 1995, they haven’t once put together back-to-back winning seasons. In fact, that playoff run from 2013-2015 were the first consecutive postseason appearances for the organization ever.
Considering they’ve been to the Super Bowl twice when plenty of other teams have never made the trip at all, regardless of winning history, it’s just odd.
If you want questions and concerns, look no further than Carolina’s offense and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Turner is an obvious upgrade over Mike Shula, but I’m curious how quarterback Cam Newton is going to adapt to the new system. Under Shula, Newton was a weapon, but never a consistently accurate percentage passer. If Turner can bring that out of Newton’s game, this could be a big year for Carolina.
https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1005075542490705921
Cam has the weapons at his disposal to make it happen. Torrey Smith gives the team its first deep threat receiver since Tedd Ginn Jr. left. Devin Funchess had a break out season in 2017 and they added D.J. Moore, a guy with tons of speed himself, in the first round of April’s draft.
Greg Olsen missed most of last season with an injury, but if he’s back to full strength, he’s as good as it gets as a pass-catching tight end. The Panthers added Ian Thomas out of Indiana in the fourth round and he should see plenty of playing time too.
Carolina hangs its hat on its defense under head coach Ron Rivera. They bring the best middle linebacker in the game, Luke Kuechly, to the field along with a talented front and an improving defensive back unit, but one that’s still a far cry from the squad that played in the Super Bowl three seasons ago.
No QB had more runs of 15+ yards than Cam Newton in 2017! pic.twitter.com/24mzKAXRvC
— PFF (@PFF) June 7, 2018
Three teams from the NFC South made the playoffs last season, all with double digit wins. None of the teams (Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons) took a step backward this offseason, but there’s only so many wins to go around in the NFC. Will three teams make the playoffs out of this division again with an improved Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in the NFC East, a healthy Aaron Rodgers in the NFC North and a surging San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West? It doesn’t seem likely.
Still, I think this Panthers squad will be in the postseason and that’ll take at least a 10-6 record. I say take the over.
