It has been eight years since New England visited Charlotte, and that is an eternity in the NFL. The Panthers and the Patriots have not played very often, but when they have it's been memorable. They have only played five times in games that counted, but four of those have a spot in Panther history. In order of importance, they were:
1) The Super Bowl. Following the 2003 season, the Patriots bested Carolina in the most important game the two teams have ever played. Jake Delhomme (shown above, running out onto the field with his teammates before that Super Bowl) threw for 211 yards -- in the fourth quarter! He led three touchdown drives in the Panthers' final three possessions and Carolina still lost, 32-29, because Tom Brady was even better.
2) The Seifert Bowl. In George Seifert's final game as the Panthers' head coach, more than 50,000 empty seats mocked the team as New England decimated the Panthers, 38-6 in the last game of the 2001 season.
3) The Redemption Bowl. Two years after the Super Bowl, the Panthers upset New England, 27-17, in Week 2 of the 2005 regular season in Charlotte. It was the first indication that Carolina was ready to go to the playoffs (the team would finish 11-5).
4) The Kasay Bowl. Carolina's first-ever road win came in 1995, when John Kasay won the game in overtime, 20-17.
-- The Panthers are wearing black jerseys Monday night and want fans coming to the game to wear black as well for a "blackout" effect.
-- This is scary good -- since the 2010 season, the Patriots are 24-1 in the second half of the regular season (Games 9-16 each year). Yes, that's correct: 8-0 twice, 7-1 once and 1-0 so far this season.
-- Tom Brady is 13-4 on "Monday Night Football," which means he's played more than one regular season's worth of games on Monday night. Suffice it to say the moment is not going to be too big for him.
-- This is weird: Carolina and New England are two of the three NFL teams NOT named for either a specific city or a specific state. The third? Tampa Bay.
-- I missed my Panthers' pick last week, breaking a string of six straight hits. This time I think the Panthers will prevail, paced once again by a defense that will rise to this momentous occasion. Prediction: Carolina 21, New England 18.
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20 comments:
Some mildly interesting facts, but something to note about the Patriots being 24-1 in the second half of the season, that is also when a majority of divisional games occur and lets be honest the AFC East hasn't exactly been a powerhouse the past half decade.
I think the "black out" is a mistake. Nothing says "dumb" like every fan dressed in black trying to get back to their cars in the dark. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
Re: the divisional games in the 2nd half of the season - that's simply not true. The divisional games have been pretty evenly split between the first and second half of the season. The Pats usually take it to another level as the season progresses. I am a Pats fan but live in NC and like the Panthers as well, but let's not discredit what the Pats do with incorrect arguments.
Yo pooper scooper, in those immortal words from the Forrest Gump movie, ARE YOU STUPID OR SOMETHING? They aren't playing the game in total darkness....there are street lights and car head lights. Did you just get here from the DARK AGES? Please stay home....we don't want to loose you to the night! Scarrrrry! GO PANTHERS!
Minnesota Vikings not named for a city either ----ooops!
This is weird: Carolina and New England are two of the three NFL teams NOT named for either a specific city or a specific state.
Last time I checked Minnesota was a SPECIFIC STATE ;)
...or the Tennessee Titans...
Scott said City OR State.
But Minnesota is named for a specific state...ooooops
Scott said "not named for a specific city or a specific state."
If the defense can give Gronk a concussion in the first quarter then we win, otherwise it's a toss up.
To Party Pooper : The Black out will be awesome!! Everyone dressed in black happens all the time at any heavy metal concert across the country on any given night and I don't think there has ever been an instance of Chaos and hooliganism based on clothing color.
Go Panthers!!
The further I read, the dumber I get
Bunch of Einsteins in the comments here today...
People above trying to point out Fowler's mistakes that don't know how to read. He said "city or state". duhhh for all of you.....
I hope I am wrong but I believe Brady will riddle our defense.
A wake up call for Riverboat Ron from Bellicose Bellichik.
Really nice job, Scott. Lots of little tidbits I didn't know including the "blackout" request and the fact the Patriots are 24-1 over the final eight games since 2010. I will be at the game Monday night. Definitely one of the biggest regular season match-ups in Panthers history.
We can win this one. We have two things going for us--good players and luck.
Brady has already stated years back that the Panthers are the hardest team he has ever played after the SB game. And he is one very determined player to win no matter how tough it gets.
Panthers have to be more determined than Brady. This will be mental.
I love the Panthers and hope and pray we win this game. But I am feeling a little uneasy. We don't seem to play well when the national spotlight is on us. I was on pins and needles during the recent San Fran game. It seemed we were trying to blow that game. The center-quarterback bad snap. Stewart fumbling the ball. Our offense has got to start fast and score touchdowns. Cam, I'm one of your biggest supporters, but please get rid of the ball quicker. Throw it away if no one is open. Stop taking a sack for a loss of yards. Someone needs to let Cam know what Brian Billick (sp?) says about his throws. His comments are on the money. GO PANTHERS!!!
"Some mildly interesting facts, but something to note about the Patriots being 24-1 in the second half of the season, that is also when a majority of divisional games occur and lets be honest the AFC East hasn't exactly been a powerhouse the past half decade."
Actually, the divisional game schedules for the Patriots are a wash. Here are the 2nd half stats:
2013: 2 games
2012: 4 games
2011: 3 games
2010: 3 games
Next theory...
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