A few thoughts on Sunday's game:
** If you think these two teams have problems – well, this is nothing. Let me take you back to the Buffalo-Carolina game of 2001, which produced one of my favorite all-time quotes.
In 2001, these two teams met in a thoroughly forgettable game in Buffalo. Carolina was 1-11. Buffalo was 1-10.
The Panthers sped out to a 24-6 lead late in the second period behind quarterback Chris Weinke and a rookie wide receiver/kick returner named Steve Smith.
But Buffalo scored the game’s last 19 points to win 25-24 and help ensure that horrendous 1-15 record for the Panthers. Panther head coach George Seifert would be fired once the season concluded.
But Seifert was still coach at the time and he said right after blowing that 18-point lead: “The problem here is that we haven’t solved the problem. And it’s been an ongoing problem.” It sounded for a minute like Yogi Berra was coaching the Panthers and, in fact, he couldn't have done any worse.
** You think anyone will be watching No.89 for Carolina and No.81 for Buffalo Sunday?
Smith and Terrell Owens are both off to terrible starts (together, they have combined for 1 TD, which is T.O.’s). But I think both are going to see the ball more today. It’s Smith who has made the most noise this month. Owens has been very low-profile, for him, anyway, in Buffalo thus far. Smith wants to be considered an “asset” again. I bet the Panthers make sure he gets a catch within their first five offensive plays today.
** Although Smith certainly wants more touches, the Panthers would be nuts to veer far off the 48-run, 17-pass formula that got them a win last Sunday in Tampa Bay. Buffalo’s rush defense is worst in the league. The only way DeAngelo Williams doesn’t go for 100 yards today is if he gets hurt.
** My prediction: Carolina 29, Buffalo 20.
(The stats: So far this season, I am 4-1 picking Panthers' games this season, missing on the Dallas game. Before the season began, I picked Carolina to go 7-9. )
We're moving!
9 years ago
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26 comments:
How can you go 7-9 in the preseason when there are only 4 games?
Sorry u cannot understand the full context. His prediction for the Panthers, which was MADE in the PRESEASON, was that they would go 7-9. Find someone else to criticize.
today?..i think u mean sunday there scotty
Thanks for the article, Scott! I hope you and the other Observer sportswriters realize that all the ignorant (and most often embarrassingly illiterate) posts on the on-line blogs don’t speak for the general public; much less True Panthers Fans. The true fans read your stuff in hopes of learning a tidbit of information about one of the players on our favorite team. The negative jerks… well who knows what drives them. Pass on to Ron Green Jr, David Scott, Charles Chandler, and Tom Sorensen that there are a bunch of guys ( and girls, actually), who absorb and enjoy all the stuff you feed to us.
Ron Zigler
THANKS RON!!!!
As one of the girls, I commend you!
Your comment was very much appreciated coming from a true fan!
Looking forward to DT, having another smash mouth run game, Pep giving Fitzpatrick nightmares, Smitty busting loose and hopefully Davis will be suited up and ready to play!
Oh and TO wishing he was at home filming another reality show!!
Until.....
Boy..The Panther's are making the rebuilding of the 49ers really easy with the 2 good picks they will have this year.....i will not be surprised if Buffalo wins this. This may be the last game they win for awhile..Hope you guys enjoy it
BUFFALO OFFENSE: Trent Edwards had a concussion and may not play, but it doesn't matter. Both Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick are pretty identical. Regardless of whom Dick Jauron goes with, he'll rely heavily on his ground attack. The Panthers are 27th versus the rush, so both Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson should have plenty of wide-open running lanes to burst through.
With Lynch and Jackson going, Edwards/Fitzpatrick will have enough time in the pocket to find Owens and Evans downfield (Edwards won't need much time to check it down to Lynch though). Helping matters is how well rookie right tackle Jamon Meredith played last week. I don't know why the Packers ever let him go, but Meredith and the rest of Buffalo's offensive front surrendered only one sack to the Jets on Sunday.
CAROLINA OFFENSE: The Panthers actually got back to the basics last week. They saw a big weakness in Tampa Bay's defensive front and exploited it by running the ball with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart a whopping 47 times.
If Carolina sticks to this game plan, it won't have much of a problem moving the chains against the Bills. Buffalo is ranked dead last against the run and just allowed 309 total rushing yards to Thomas Jones and Leon Washington on Sunday.
The Bills won that game because they were able to intercept Mark Sanchez five times. Their opportunistic secondary, led by a now-healthy Donte Whitner and the emerging Jairus Byrd, will be licking its chops at the prospect of playing Jake Delhomme. The Panthers dominated the Buccaneers last week, yet Tampa Bay was able to keep things close because Delhomme tossed two big interceptions.
RECAP: Carolina should not be favored by more than a field goal over anyone in this league right now. Also, Buffalo may play better football now that most of its defensive players are healthy again.
TRENDS: (ATS = Against The Spread)
-Bills are 19-13 ATS as a dog under Dick Jauron.
-Bills are 14-6 ATS against losing teams since 2006.
- Jake Delhomme is 19-11 ATS off back-to-back wins.
-Panthers are 13-23 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 or more since 2001.
-Panthers are 20-29 ATS at home since 2003.
-Jake Delhomme is 14-21 ATS as a home favorite.
-Opening Line: Panthers -7.
-Opening Total: 36.5.
Weather: Partly cloudy, 67 degrees. Light wind.
Dan's Week 7 NFL Pick: Panthers 19 - Bills 16
Bills +7
- Dan in Cherryville, NC
Looks like its gonna be Fitzpatrick come Sunday!!
RCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP)—Bills starting quarterback Trent Edwards(notes) won’t play in Buffalo’s game at Carolina on Sunday because of a concussion.
Ryan Fitzpatrick(notes) will get the start for Edwards.
So...Peppers plans to play this Sunday? Didn't he play last Sunday? He is due a day off....
Ah Crohn....the fact that you took the time to even acknowledge that Pep played last Sunday made me smile...
Why the animosity....he plays well, that isnt good enough, when hes a slacker that isnt good enough...
Do you need a group hug?
I am not a Peppers fan..I really think there is a lot better in the league making less that don't take plays off. I never watched someone d their job and just take it easy on some downs. He doesn't play with heart. But then again, I just live in the Carolina region. I am from Philly, so yes, I am an Eagles fan. there may be as many Panthers fans at the game Sunday as Buffalo fans by all the people from Buffalo who live here. I just think people are discounting this as a win for Carolina. I hope Delhomme doesn't have to throw. He will just add to his collection which has him tied for 1st...
I'm in no way telling you that you have to be a fan...To each their own, and yes AS A FAN, Pep does and has needed to step it up.
I guess I'm just one that when credit is deserved it should be given, instead of beating him down even more...but thats just me...
As for saying this is a definite win...Never said that, if that being the case I wouldnt have lost the pool when I picked the Eagles over the Raiders last weekend :-(
2nd period?????? thats hockey scott......
Jennifer, I didn't say that you said this is a definite win. I have read things over the week that people have said this. As for the Eagles losing to the Raiders, I think everyone lost with that. But as an Eagles fan, I haven't too much confidence in McCheeseburger winning the Super Bowl for Philadelphia. He is at the end of his career. I think they should start Kolb. But Carolina also must realize they need a new quarterback. Delhomme is not leading this team anywhere but the locker room. Steve Smith wants the ball. Dude, every time he throws the ball, it pretty much gets picked. Every 10 passes gets intercepted. The only way this team can win is the running game, it is the only attack they have, which is really 1 dimensional. This team needs to go into rebuilding starting with the quarterback. It really isn't John Fox's fault that he has a terrible quarterback. I have been through a rebuilding in Philadelphia and they also need to go into a rebuilding. It isn't too bad Panther fans. I remember a time when my team went 3-13..That was an ugly time. Also quarterbacks in this upcoming draft can be had in the 2nd round. There is a lot of talent in this draft..
My prediction: Buffalo 27 - Carolina 24. Both teams have weak defenses and no passing game.
My prediction prior to this season was the Panthers going 5 - 11 - although if they lose tomorrow they very well could end up at 4 - 12. After the game tomorrow, every single opponent is a good one (except for Tampa Bay).
anonymous...I think you are posting on the wrong forum..What does politics having anything to do with the Panthers winning or losing a game have anything to do with anything?/ Rush Limbaugh is garbage and feel bad for anyone who actually listens to the drug addicted tard...
Bills 31 Panthers 10. Number of comments posted by some stupid dame 30!
10-4 on that crohnkiller...I've seen Jennifer take a bunch of these fools to school enough times on here to know she's a lot more knowledgeable about football than many of the posters on here. Hence, they post anonymously with their lame comments.
But, sometimes even those who sign are pretty lame as well. Dan in Cherryville, give me a break. You want to talk about trends so much, perhaps you should check out improving trends on the Panthers run D. Not realizing the Panthers made some good moves to shore up the D Line and then posting an outrageous comment like "Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson should have plenty of wide-open running lanes to burst through" just shows your ignorance. Wide-open running lanes? Wide-open? Give me a break dude. "Donte Whitner and the emerging Jairus Byrd,...licking its chops"? Really? Seriously? The emerging Jairus Byrd? Don't make me laugh. Guess you don't have to be much of a D Back when everyone decides to just run it down your throat the whole game.
I don't even need to address anon @ 6:22 for his idiotic "number of comments by stupid dame". Your stupidity speaks for itself homie - probably best you do stay anonymous.
Crohnkiller...you are right. There are going to be a TON of Buffalo fans there tomorrow. I'm from Charlotte...and I have a TON of Buffalo friends. They even tried to get me to fly a Sabres flag on my house (they backed off when I pointed out that the Hurricanes have a Stanley Cup...Sabres, not so much). Anyway, I'm actually going with a group of about 20 tomorrow. Kind of sad to be outnumbered within your own group. Still, we'll have a lot of fun. I went with them last time up to Buffalo a couple of years ago (where we secured the win on a Gamble pick). That was a good plane ride home (as was the one from San Diego last year). I have a feeling it ain't going to be so good for my Buffalo buddies when they go back Monday!
GO PANTHERS!!!!
Hey Jennifer...you're aka junipherbreezy or is someone just copying your style ;)
thanks you two...glad you can bring it back to what the blog is suppose to be about ..."PANTHER FOOTBALL"...
Haters dont phase me, I wont allow it to take away from the blog itself, but they need to grow some balls and man up, to the fact that women actually do enjoy the game....oh and learn how to count while they are at it :-)
As for the junipher name, thats me, I didnt know I had logged out on my email here and was signed in under my blogger id....my bad...
Obviously the Anon's on here, cant deal with one of me, so I wont stick it to them, by having to deal with two <:-)..
Curtis, enjoy being at the game, cant wait to hear your take on it...
This is directed right at crohnkiller:
What does politics have to do with football? While it may not look like it has anything to do with football, politics has something to do with EVERYTHING. If you don't think that, you're part of the problem in this country, PERIOD.
Is it so far fetched that some POLITICAL could be driving the incessant whining about “the lack of coaches of color” or the “lack of blacks in front office roles in the NFL”? Anyone who says that politics doesn’t have a place in the NFL is dead wrong.
And as for Rush, I happen to agree that he’s more than likely not NFL owner material, but to me, he’s no different than Marge Schott. He’s not Satan personified or anything. You take a cheap shot at the man about a substance abuse problem, and I’m betting that you were gnashing your teeth about Michael Vick’s suspension and jail time being unfair, and were among the first to forgive and forget. Why can’t you give Rush the same treatment? You appear to be hate-filled toward Rush because of his political stance. That, or you’re just a shallow hypocrite.
What is NFL ownership material?
Who doubts millionaire double murderer OJ who paid his way off the hook wouldnt have been allowed to own a pro sports team had he not been convicted and jailed of armed robbery?
Who doubt millionaire pedophile Micheal Jackson who paid his way off the hook couldnt have owned any pro team had he not expired due to his love of drugs?
Motor mouth Limbaugh was caught with a bottle of legal prescription drugs. Big deal.
So a liberal murderer and pedophile could have owned a team but not a conservative non-murderer non-pedophile?
They got it upside down. Who invented all these sports and businesses anyway?
Apparently this blog has turned from My Buffalo Carolina prediction to why or why not Limbaugh should have been included in the Rams ownership team. Seriously..If you want to go blog about that, go to stltoday.com..The rest of us will talk about whether or not the Panthers will or won't win this game..PS..He didn't just get caught with prescription drugs, he admitted to buying from a ring in Florida for YEARS and he is a racist. Real good mix when owning an NFL team, an idiot drug addicted racist talk show host
That game actually led to one of my favorite all time quotes, as well. It was made by Marv Levy, who was calling the game for whatever network that day. Undoubtedly speaking of one of the team's difficulties he noted that "What it takes to win is simple, but it's not easy."
A succinct way to put a weighty thought, I felt.
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