A few stats and notes as everyone starts getting ready for Monday Night Football and a visit by the New England Patriots (7-2), who play Carolina (6-3) in Bank of America Stadium Monday at 8:40 p.m.
1.Something's gotta give: Points scored by Patriots in last game: 55. Points allowed by Panthers in last five games combined: 57. (Above that's Charles Johnson and Mike Mitchell, two of the primary reasons why, sacking Colin Kaepernick Sunday).
2. The Panthers plan to wear black jerseys and silver pants on MNF and not the popular "black-on-black" combo, which in an online vote won (somewhat dubiously, but still) the title of best uniform in NFL history this past offseason. There's a small chance that the pants color could change to black between now and Monday. The jersey color, by rule, cannot.
3. The Patriots often show up at key times in Panther history. There was George Seifert's last game in 2001 before 50,000 empty seats, which was a 38-6 New England win. There was the 2003 Super Bowl, won in a cliffhanger by New England, 32-29. And there's now.
4. Neither the Panthers nor New England has a receiver in the top 40 in the NFL in reception yardage. However, New England has five receivers with 280 or more receiving yards and Carolina has four.
5. If the game comes down to a field goal, expect it to be made. Both Carolina's Graham Gano and New England's Stephen Gostkowski have only missed a single kick all season. Combining extra points and field goals, Gano is 38-for-39. Gostkowski is 46-for-47.
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19 comments:
well there's an interesting little stat... gano is 38-for-39, gost is 46-for-47, which means to me that NE has been settling for more FG's.
... or scoring more TDs.
New England's been settling for more touchdowns, too. Bad combination for us.
No, that means they have scored more touchdowns. extra points included in that number.
....or that the Pats get into the red zone more often...
Sure, if you forget that the stat includes extra points
It is interesting especially when you consider that NE has scored 20 more total points that the Panthers and 24 more points off of field goals. Yes, they do seem to be settling for field goals, albeit more chances to do so than us.
extra points are basically even (25 for gano, 24 for gostkowski). the difference is the FGs (14 attempted by gano compared to 23 for gostkowski)
NE 24 TD's 23 FG's
CAROLINA 25 TD's 14 FG's
looks like they are settling for more FG's I agree with anonymous at 7:03
Scott --
Don't forget the 1995 meeting that the Panthers won in Foxborough 20-17 on a Kasay FG in OT. It was the Panthers' first road win in team history - and wasn't there some kind of prediction or guarantee out of New England that fired the Panthers up? I remember Eric Guliford's TD from that game like it was yesterday.
Here are a few interesting things about where both of these teams are heading into Monday night's game. New England has the 12th best offense in the NFL, but averages 5.1 yds/play and has the ball 29:10 per game. The Panthers are 20th in the league in offense, but they average 5.0 yds/play and has the ball 33:48 per game. For me, the big difference is on defense. The Patriots are 21st in overall defense, 12th in passing and 30th against the run. The Panthers on the other hand are 2nd in overall defense, 4th against the pass and 2nd against the run.
This could turn out to be a Carolina blowout.
"This could turn into a Carolina blowout."
YES! I love it when teams like the Panthers over-estimate themselves and underestimate the Patriots. When that happens, you can count on a little comeuppance to the Panthers.
The Panthers are not used to winning, recently, and are full of themselves, and are looking at a Super Bpwl, I am sure. The Pats, on the other hand, are used to winning, year in and year out, and KNOW what it takes to win on a consistent basis in the NFL, and predicting "blowouts" is not part of that formula.
Go ahead, Carolina...feel great about your team and predict a "blowout." Set yourself up for a Pats team that plays very physical, fights hard, and NEVER gives up = 11-12 wins a year for the last 13 years!
I love hubris...keep talking "blowout" Carolina fans.. keep talking...
How many times have the Panthers gone for it on 4th and 1 in the red zone this year?
The Panthers are not getting ahead of themselves, even if some fans are. They will get out and play hard like they have been doing. This will be a good game, I do think the Panthers will come out on top, but that is what a fan should believe. Stats are one thing, but that is not what determines the out come of the game. So Patriot fans get ready for a defense that is going to get after Terrific Tom and that could be bad for him.
Hey @Anon 10:13am - Lay off the Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts. If all it takes is one person on a blog to get you all fired up, you need to take a look in the mirror. Panthers will not underestimate the Patriots. Nobody does. You can't ignore a teams accomplishments from the last decade and expect to have a chance at winning in this league. They know that. Go Panthers!
Another huge game next week and in a prime time slot, Ron the Patriots beat Carolina in the only superbowl appearance they`ve
attended.Jerry remembers this still today and nothing would make him happier than for you to dominate and win this game in
front of the home crowd , Huddle the coaching staff together and win this one for the old man ,JR want forget it.
Do you think the Panthers are dumb enough to underestimate the Pats?
besides kapernick last week (which was an impressive defensive showing by panthers) the reality is that the 4th ranked passing defense has really not faced a legit quarterback/passing offense this year until this coming monday. in addition, kapernick is not a strict pocket q-back like brady, therefore there should not be too much comparison. with the new additions to the offense (from injuries), the pats will put up more than 35 come monday night...
If anyone who has any say in this matter is reading this, BLACK ON BLACK unis plleeeaassseee???? That combo is awesome!!
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