Thursday, November 29, 2012

Predicting Panthers to beat the Chiefs Sunday

Can you say two in a row?

The Panthers haven't won consecutive games all season, but they'll never have a better opportunity than Sunday when they go on the road to face the woeful Kansas City Chiefs.

While the Panthers (3-8) have had it bad this season, the Chiefs (1-10) have had it worse. Think of the 2010 version of the Panthers -- that 2-14 team whose offense couldn't score a TD if it got a turnover inside the opponents' 10 -- and you've got a good feel for the Chiefs.

Kansas City has lost eight in a row, and here are their point totals in the last seven of those games: 6, 10, 16, 13, 13, 6 and 9. They can run the ball decently and they can play defense sometimes, but that's about it. And their once-vaunted homefield advantage has slipped away -- Kansas City is 0-6 in Arrowhead Stadium this season.

The only way I see Kansas City winning is if Jamaal Charles rushes for more than 200 yards, which is how the Chiefs beat New Orleans earlier this year.

-- Weird Panther trivia question: Do you know what college is represented the most on the Panthers' roster? Answer below, just before my prediction.

-- I don't normally root for Panther players to perform well individually, but on Sunday I want one Panther to grab 111 yards or more worth of receptions. Why? Because the all-time Panther single-game reception yards leader in the very brief series with Kansas City is Rae Carruth, who had a 110-yard receiving game in 1997. I am always in favor of Carruth's terrible name being erased from Panther history, although the stain will never quite go away.

-- Since the beginning of the 2011 season, Cam Newton has 20 rushing touchdowns. That's better than everyone else in the NFL in that time period except Houston's Arian Foster (22). Still, Newton's rushing TD pace (six so far in 2012) is way off his QB record of 14 in 2011.

-- The trivia answer, according to the Panthers: Oregon State, with three players, is the most well-represented. They are Derek Anderson, James Dockery and Dwan Edwards.

-- I have finally edged over .500 on Panther predictions this season at 6-5 after getting the last three games in a row correct. Going for four straight with this one, which I don't think will be that close: Carolina 28, Kansas City 13.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well good Lord, if we can't bea the Chefs (misspelling intentional), we can't beat anybody.

Charles WILL run for 200 yards, but they won't get 100 yards passing. I'm looking forward to getting 20 fantasy points from Greg Olsen. Panthers win 28-21, only because Charles rushes for 200 yards and 3 scores.

Anonymous said...

What NFC South team has the most SEC players?

Anonymous said...

Falcons at 15

Anonymous said...

So, who cares?!

Anonymous said...

How in the world could you pick Chefs over Panthers? Even at home, Chefs are in fact worse team than Panthers. Really a stretch Sparky, picking Panthers. Panthers are better than their record; finishing games? Not so good. Go Panthers.

Anonymous said...

Who cares, go back to Knoxville.

dragoon said...

Panthers always seem to play down to their competition. They seem to make bad QB's look good. Eagles rookie RB gashed the Panthers defense, so I'd say Jamal Charles is definitely capable. Chiefs always play tough at home, even if they are 0-6 this year. Panthers and fans should not assume a win here. Have we not SEEN how many crazy, heartbreaking ways the Panthers have lost this year? Panthers need to show up PREPARED to play hard!!

dragoon said...

Panthers always seem to play down to their competition. They seem to make bad QB's look good. Eagles rookie RB gashed the Panthers defense, so I'd say Jamal Charles is definitely capable. Chiefs always play tough at home, even if they are 0-6 this year. Panthers and fans should not assume a win here. Have we not SEEN how many crazy, heartbreaking ways the Panthers have lost this year? Panthers need to show up PREPARED to play hard!!

Anonymous said...

You need to get rid of your prediction column Scott. You are a F'n jinx.

Anonymous said...

SO MUCH FOR PREDICTIONS!!!!