A few notes about Sunday's Chicago-Carolina game, and why I think the Panthers will win it:
-- I’ve had more than 100 responses on my blog and via my personal e-mail address to a question I asked online earlier this week in this blog: Will you cheer or boo Julius Peppers Sunday?
It’s a totally unscientific sample, but it is interesting.
-- It’s hard seeing your ex with another guy at the same party, but that’s what will happen to the Panthers Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Based on my responses, my guess is about 40 percent of the people in the stadium will boo Peppers, about 30 percent will cheer (with some wearing old Peppers No.90 jerseys as signs of support) and another 30 percent will not do much of anything because they have mixed feelings about how everything went down.
-- The Panthers caught a break this week when it was announced Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler couldn’t play in this game because of a concussion. Cutler has a big-time arm he can beat you with, while his 38-year-old backup Todd Collins is more of a game manager.
-- With the Bears giving up an astounding 10 sacks last week, it will be interesting to see how often Carolina blitzes Collins today and tries to create some turnovers. Jimmy Clausen is really going to need some short fields to work with if he’s going to create much on offense.
-- The Jordan Gross vs. Peppers battle will be a great one to take binoculars for and focus on, but remember that Peppers won’t match up against Gross on every down. Peppers said this week he has the freedom to pick what side he wants to rush seconds after breaking the huddle – a freedom he rarely had in Carolina and one of the things he likes most in Chicago.
-- I’d like to see Armanti Edwards both active on Sunday (looks like that will happen) and running from the “Mountaineer” at least a couple of times (who knows whether that will). Hey, with this offense, the Panthers need a few gimmicks.
-- Will this be the week rookie wide receiver Brandon LaFell finally breaks out for Carolina? We keep waiting.
-- I’m 3-1 picking the outcome of Panthers’ games so far this season, and I’m about to go out on a limb.
I think Carolina’s talent level really isn’t that much different from Chicago’s despite the two teams' records. I think that the Panthers, as bad as they have sometimes been this season, will get something going today, especially with their running game. I think the Panthers' defense can make the Bears struggle just enough. I think Carolina has the desperation factor in its favor.
My prediction: Carolina 17, Chicago 16.
We're moving!
9 years ago
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39 comments:
I hope for Scotts sake that the charlotte observer doesnt start drug testing employees.
I think this will be our week to get a win. 20-7 panthers with one of the touchdowns coming from defense or special teams.
GOOOOOOOOOO PANTHERS!!!!!!!
I would love to see our offensive line get their act straight this game & handle Peppers. I can always hope.
I pray the Observer leaves these comments up through the end of the game Sunday. I cannot wait to see what "new revelations", excuses, and amazing football wisdom you losers come up with next to further defend the joke of the NFL - a.k.a. Carolina Panthers. Best of all is knowing you will spend money willingly to witness another debacle. It only deepens the proof -- some Panther fans remain as delusional, arrogant, and ignorant as the owner, front office, and coaching staff. Richardson could not have picked a bigger bunch of suckers to bleed -- then the "all knowing" "non-fair weathered" "football educated" fans of Charlotte. Heck - half of you probably own Bobcat tickets also. Heads up -- the "youth movement" Richardson has sold you on -- is in reference to the fact your children will be grown before this team sniffs the playoffs again. GO BEARS!! And I pray Peppers has three sacks and Chris Harris gets three interceptions. Wait, with Clausen starting ... he may get 4 or 5. Enjoy is Panther fans ... YOU certainly are paying for it!
Anonymous @ 9:02
The wheels came of the Panther cart about 4 years ago. You know, the LAST time they made the playoffs?
Scott - please explain all the talk and concern about the Panthers having a rookie quarterback and nothing but rookie receivers? So what? All the Panthers do is run 3 times then punt. Who cares if Steve Smith is hurt? What has he done in the past year? The Panther's most valuable player is their punter - better pray he doesn't bite it Sunday.
Scott said -> I think Carolina’s talent level really isn’t that much different from Chicago’s despite the two teams' records.
Really? Guess that clearly explains the NFL power ranking for week 5? Bears 11 ...Panthers 31. Good one Scott!
Scott - you were attempting to be humorous correct?
The Browns, the Raiders, the 49'ers, and God forbid, the DETROIT LIONS, all have a higher power ranking than the kitty cats. Talent about the same??? If so, then you ought to be blasting the coaches for losing - versus continuing spouting what Richardson tells you to write. Carolina needs to change their mascot to the Kool-Aid guy ... since it is obvious that is what all of you are drinking!
i am so sick of stupid fans.
"your children will be grown before this team sniffs the playoffs"
how ticked off and ignorant do you have to be to believe this? i am glad our fans care, but come down off the ledge people. in the nfl you are never more than 3 years away form the playoffs...unless of course you are buffalo
Anon at 5:25am "YOU are the IGNORANT one ... the Panthers have not been in four years"
Really because I could've swore the Panthers went 12-4 2 years ago and made the playoffs. They may not have won but they still made it. I'm confused by all of the hate for the Panthers. Yeah they're not good right now but is it better to go 7-9 forever or actually build a team up that may suck initially but be a perennial playoff contender. See Colts pre-Manning; N.O pre-Brees; GB pre-Farve.
Where do you come up with it has been 4 years since they made the playoffs? They went after the 2008 season - where they were crushed by Arizona and this "downward spiral" began. We were 12-4 in the regular season. Then last year we went 8-8. So it has only been 2 years since we were in the playoffs. Prior to 2008, our last time in was 2005. That year we made it to the NFC Championship game. That makes it 4 years and 4 games since we won a playoff game. Get your facts straight before you start spewing ignorance.
To the Idiot Bear Fan on here:
Our great Panther fan forgot to mention that two years before that 2005 NFC Championship we were in the Superbowl.
Oh Yeah and did he mention in 2005Carolina destroyed that great Bears defense that was supposed to be so good that year in Chicago? It was Carolina that made it to the NFC Championship when Steve Smith lit the great Bears defense up for over 200 yards receiving and had your little crybaby secondary calling for their Mom everytime Smith made them fall to the ground on a juke.
The Bears fans are now up there with the Cowboys on how both of their teams are in still living in the past for their success.
Go back to your basement and out of Charlotte if you hate North Carolina so much. Moron.
Yeah it looks like the panthers will lose another game. The bears have a defense and the panthers can't move the ball through the air. chicago 24-14.
Good a week as any to pick a win. Even very bad NFL teams usually win a game or two, and not always against weak opposition. I don't even think the Panthers are very bad (bad, yes, but not very bad).
This roster is loaded with young, raw talent. I actually think they might win by 7-10 points.
Has no one commenting here ever heard the phrase "any given Sunday?"
I think the Panthers will win this one as well. You have to figure that the "young" players gained a lot of confidence from last weeks game... (which we should have won if it were not for a muffed punt). The bears are good this year, but no wears close to the Saints. I will be driving down from DC to see the Pep reunion. Hopefully, it will be a loss for him.
The key for a win this week is our O line...Its time for Gross to step up and handle Peppers like he's done for years in practice..
Trash talk back and forward all you want, but at the end of the day winning is what matters. Our team is young and fast but they lack experience, so the tougher our games are, the more likely the young bucks are going to learn quickly. and NEWS FLASH BEARS FANS: The "Kitty Cats" have been to the playoffs more than your precious "Teddy Bears" since 1995. If my team had a rich history like the Bears but had only been to the playoffs 3 times in the last 15 years, I think I would keep my bragging to a minimum.
The Panthers can finish the season at 12-4. Simply replace Jeff Davidson with Gandolf.
Um, actually its been noted for a long time now that Peppers used to own Gross in practice. Not the other way around
SELL THIS TEAM TO AN INVESTOR IN LOS ANGELES AND FIRE MARTY HURNEY!
Relax, he's just making a homer prediction for the NC fans. It's about as close to a winnable game one could want, the Bears' best offensive player is out, the O-line is in disarray and the Bears will be forced to do something they have not done well all year--run the football. It's going to be like a pre-Cutler Bear game, where defenders would put 8 or even 9 guys in the box and dare folks like Jonathan Quinn or Craig Krenzel to beat them in the air.
Alas, if the Panthers are any good, they certainly haven't shown it thus far. When the brightest spot of your season is losing to the Saints by "only" 2 points, that speaks volumes. Williams is running only okay, and Stewart--54 yard fluke TD nonwithstanding--is MIA. Clausen is no Bradford, and the Panthers best offensive player is out, and the other projected starting WR got cut this week for DUI.
So, on one side, you have a 39 year old career back-up throwing to a largely unknown receiving corps. On the other side, you have a rookie QB in his 3rd game throwing to two rookie WR. There are going to be A LOT of screen pass and short slant routes to break up the numerous runs up the middle.
WIth both offenses looking pretty weak, I'd have to give the nod to the Bear defense (6th against the run--and that after NYG gashed them for 190 yards) with many more takeways that the Panther D. Couple that with the Bears special teams who have blocked a kick and scored a TD, and add in the intangible of an exceptionally motivated Julius Peppers, and while it's not out of the realm of possibility for the Panthers to win, it seems likely the Bears will prevail. 20-9.
Very damn bold Scottie my boy, very bold!
Panthers will win but there won't be 33 pts scored in the game. Both offenses are not very good. Panthers win by a field goal 10-7
Wow...panthers stink. Just think. You guys may get a really good draft pick...
Scott...what dp you really know about football? Panthers arent that bad?? Hmmm..maybe you and john gruden says could start a club. Also, why are there a TON of bears fans in the crowd? Hometown pride i see. The reality is, is the panthers have a very weak fan base
Chrohnsdisease, I see you are back with your ignorant posts. Weak fan base? Why are there a lot of Bears fans in the stands? Oh, I don't know...the same reason there are always a lot of Cowboys or Redskins or Steelers fans in ANY stadium in which they play. It's called having generations of fans, larger markets, broad marketing and fan bases outside of the U.S., etc. You have the nerve to come on here and question anybody about their knowledge of football and here you are spouting off about nonsense and having no clue about how football as a business/sport/legacy really works. Get a clue.
And just so you know smart guy, also in any market where the home team puts out an awful product (and let's be clear here, the Panthers are putting out an awful offense this year so far) there are always a drop off in attendance. So don't come on here with your tired a$$ commentary about the Panther fan base because it is weak.
And another thing, for all the stupid a$$ comments you've put on here I yet to see you talk about your pro team. Let me guess...you like whoever is winning. Bet you jumped on the Saints bandwagon last year, didn't ya?
Go away son...nobody wants to hear your garbage. Come back when you have something real to discuss.
Now we know.. its the players game...Peppers all the way. Who is next to go--Williams and Stewart? What a franchise!
Panthers and Bears look like the best of friends. Is this a statement?
Curtis..being from philadelphia would make me an eagles fan. It is crohnkiller..nowhere does that say crohns disease. Typical dum$@$$. I know when i go to an eagles game, we never get lots of jerseys from other teams. It all starts with the fan base and it is a fact that carolina has a generally quiet stadium. I hate the panthers and charlotte. Until march when i will be retutning to philadelphia, you will hear me talk crap. The down year comment is bs. The eagles suck right now, but there is a 15 year waiting list for season tickets. When the panthers are losing you guys bail as fans. Once again, weak fan base.
I be pissed off too Panther fans ... the least they could have done (for those of you stupid enough to attend the "game") is provide transportation on short buses back to your vehicles. carolina panthers ... THE JOKE of the NFL.
Nice call on the Panthers win, Nostradamus. LOL 0-16 is looking like a real possibility.
Predictions aren't your strong suit!
well, just as I tried telling you Friday - ONE MAN left Panther stadium in a great mood, counting his millions, and LAUGHING at you morons for even showing up ... Jerry Richardson!
All together now you blind fools ...
Stand and cheer for the Panthers
Stand and cheer for the team
The pride of both Carolinas
And city of the queen
Carolina!
Oh, nothin' could be finer
Than to be in Carolina
For a Panther football game!
Nothin' could be finer
Than to be in Carolina
For a Carolina Panther football game!
Carolina!
PSL owners, THE reason short buses were invented
FROM FRIDAY -
I pray the Observer leaves these comments up through the end of the game Sunday. I cannot wait to see what "new revelations", excuses, and amazing football wisdom you losers come up with next to further defend the joke of the NFL - a.k.a. Carolina Panthers. Best of all is knowing you will spend money willingly to witness another debacle. It only deepens the proof -- some Panther fans remain as delusional, arrogant, and ignorant as the owner, front office, and coaching staff. Richardson could not have picked a bigger bunch of suckers to bleed -- then the "all knowing" "non-fair weathered" "football educated" fans of Charlotte. Heck - half of you probably own Bobcat tickets also. Heads up -- the "youth movement" Richardson has sold you on -- is in reference to the fact your children will be grown before this team sniffs the playoffs again. GO BEARS!! And I pray Peppers has three sacks and Chris Harris gets three interceptions. Wait, with Clausen starting ... he may get 4 or 5. Enjoy is Panther fans ... YOU certainly are paying for it!
Steve Smith will leave Charlotte by next year; the Panthers will leave within five.
I know what your screen name says...I just think it is apropos to associate you with an irritable bowel disease. Being that you finally associated yourself to a team, and it happens to be the Eagles, I think it is even more accurate than I first believed.
And I just remembered, you were the football genius who last year thought it would be a "good idea" to have college teams play pro teams. Wow. Yeah, you definitely have a right to question anybody and their football knowledge. Maybe you ought to be the high IQ fan starting a club rather than Scott and Gruden...
You say you hate Charlotte and the Panthers? And you can't wait to go back to Philly? Well, trust me buddy...the feeling is more than mutual. This city could care less about your dumb a$$ (and just so you know, it is two words and doesn't have that extra S with which you spelled it - nothing quite like a moron misspelling the word dumb a$$ when trying to insult someone).
Don't let the door hit you on the way back yank.
I thought college teams were already playing NFL teams? Aren't the Panthers division II????
I'm from the south and I might be a "red neck" as you say - so what is your point? What you consider "red neck" is what people from the south consider manners. Learn some, it might be useful for you someday. You know, it is not always about who is the loudest in the room that makes the better point.
And I think it is hilarious that despite all the excellent points I make about your silly little comments, all you can do is resort to name calling. Very convenient that you never defend your position after I call you out on it. Just like last year when I called you out on the college versus pro ("Ummm, I didn't say that my neighbor did" - yeah right)...and it will always be that way. Because from childish minds come childish responses.
Face it son, you are far outmatched on here. It is not even fair. Anybody who makes a statement as stupid as "Bank of America doesn't hire people from North and South Carolina" really doesn't earn much respect. I mean, any guesses there on where guys like Hugh McColl (South Carolina) and Ed Crutchfield (North Carolina) and Ken Lewis (Mississipi) were born? In the south. I guess us big ol' dumb red necks ought to consider ourselves lucky to have smart guys like you helping us count past 10, eh?
And in case you want to keep count with us ol' lowly, red neck Panther fans - we have just as many Super Bowl wins as you Eagles fans do. So you can talk about your team and how long you've been around and how many "joyseys" you don't see from other teams in your stands - but where it all counts you are still in the same zero world champs boat as we are.
Calling me a red neck and dumb...from the guy who can't spell "dumb a$$". Too funny.
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