Prediction: Bucs at Panthers

The Panthers have a real opportunity to do something meaningful tomorrow. They can respond to last week’s loss, steady themselves, and once again take control of their own fate. For a young team searching for consistency, this is exactly the type of moment that can signal real progress.

There is also the uncomfortable reality hanging over this matchup. Baker Mayfield is 5-0 against Carolina since leaving in 2022. That history alone is enough to test the confidence of any fan base. Maybe this is the week the Panthers finally flip the script. Maybe this is the game where they show they have learned how to finish.

But they are not there yet.

Tampa does not need to dominate to win this game. They will quietly control the tempo, limit mistakes, and take advantage of Carolina’s inconsistencies. The Panthers will make a few plays and keep things interesting just long enough to create a sense of hope, but it will never truly feel in doubt.

This is part of the process for a rebuilding team. The flashes are real, but the consistency is not.

Final score Tampa Bay 28, Carolina 17.

Coaching, Not Talent, Cost the Panthers on Sunday

Sunday’s game against the Saints should not have shocked anyone who has watched this team all season. What was shocking was Ejiro Evero’s outright refusal to adjust defensively at the end of the game, and even more surprising was Dave Canales allowing it to continue. What did they think was going to happen when you are conceding 12 to 15 yards per play?

Yes, the penalties hurt, but poor coaching decisions ultimately cost the Panthers their outright lead in the NFC South. I never believed this was a true playoff team, even during the last several weeks. Playoff teams show some level of consistency, and this team simply does not have it.

I expect the Panthers to split with the Buccaneers, but only because Tampa Bay is likely to rest starters in Week 18, not because Carolina has suddenly turned a corner.

Prediction: Panthers at Saints

The Panthers travel to New Orleans with a lot on the line. Tampa Bay has dropped its second straight game to this same Saints team the Panthers face on Sunday and then unexpectedly lost again in the Thursday night matchup against the Falcons. Everything appears to be lining up for a playoff push, which is exactly why I don’t think this team gets it done.

A rookie quarterback getting the best of them in front of a loud home crowd will be too much for the Panthers to overcome. This is still a team that lacks the week-to-week consistency needed to be a true playoff contender. I believe the Panthers are about a year away, and when the moment gets big, they come up short.

Because of that, I like the Saints in this one, 28-23.

Prediction: Rams at Panthers

After the uninspired, poor performance game on Monday that included a boat load of injuries and a suspension, the Panthers limp into the final game before the bye week. 

On another note, all teams’ bye weeks should be between weeks 7 through 10. 

Before the break, the team gets the best team in the NFL. This doesn’t farewell for the Panthers. I don’t expect this one to be close. If you would’ve asked me before the season if I would take 6-7 before the bye week and still be in contention for a playoff spot, I would’ve taken it all day long. There have been some highs and lows to this season, but the Panthers are on track for what they want out of it: to build for 2026. This week won’t be pretty as the Rams put up 34 points while the Panthers only muster 13.

Prediction: Panthers at atlanta

The Panthers managed to do the unthinkable after the emotional high of the win over the Packers. They stumbled against a 1-8 team led by a rookie quarterback making just his second career start. That loss felt like a season killer.

Now they head on the road to Atlanta to face an offense loaded with skill talent and possibly two young pass rushers from the Charlotte area who will be eager for revenge. The Panthers have lost every bit of momentum, and I fully expect Atlanta to take advantage.

At this point, one of two things seems true about the Panthers: either Bryce Young is hurt or he simply isn’t the future.

Prediction: Falcons 31, Panthers 17.

Shitshow.

The Panthers completely fell apart. Major questions need to be raised about Bryce Young’s ability to lead a productive offense. He looked awful, and let’s be honest, even in that big win at Green Bay, he wasn’t good there either. The coaching on the Carolina sideline was brutal, while New Orleans’ staff adjusted perfectly, realizing all they had to do was stop the run to win. A quarterback drafted No. 1 overall, with so much sacrificed to get him, should be able to carry a franchise. It’s becoming painfully clear that Bryce can’t do that.

As I’ve said many times before and will keep saying, Bryce Young will never lead this team to any sustained success.

Prediction: Saints at Panthers

I hate to do this because no matter how I feel, I always predict a Panthers loss. But this week feels different. This team has no choice but to go out on Sunday and win, and win big.

The Saints are bad, and the Panthers, at home, are better than average. Bryce needs a strong game for his confidence and for momentum heading into the back end of the schedule. His numbers last week were nothing special, but the wind was brutal and the game plan made sense. Now he needs to look sharp and efficient.

Rico needs to run wild. The Panthers need to control this one from start to finish with no turnovers on offense, at least one takeaway on defense, and complete command on both sides of the ball.

Give me Panthers 34, Saints 13 , in a game where they stay relaxed, confident, in control, and dominant from start to finish.

Prediction: Panthers at Packers

I thought last week’s game against Buffalo would be a close loss,  I was wrong. I also figured this week’s matchup with the Packers would look a lot like what we saw last week: a blowout. But I’ve changed my mind. This is a tough game against a good team in a hostile environment, yet I think the Panthers keep it respectable.

Prediction: Panthers cover the spread (-13.5) 

Panthers 24, Packers 34.

Best Player Philosophy.

It’s starting to feel like Dave Canales is playing favorites instead of simply playing his best players.

After a few weeks where Rico Dowdle has clearly looked like the more explosive and effective runner, Canales seems determined to force Chuba Hubbard back into the mix even though the offense has shown better rhythm and balance when Dowdle carries the load. Meanwhile, along the offensive line, he’s taking the opposite approach.

Despite veteran Austin Corbett being healthy enough to return, Canales has opted to keep Cade Mays at center. Why? Because the line has been performing better as a unit with Mays in the middle. It’s the right decision Mays has earned the spot but it directly contradicts the logic being used in the backfield.

If performance and chemistry are what matter most on the offensive line, then the same standard should apply to running back. Right now, Dowdle’s burst, vision, and ability to consistently move the chains make him the clear choice. Hubbard, though a hard runner, simply has not shown the same ability to create yards when nothing is there.

So why the double standard? It could be veteran politics. It could be loyalty to a player who’s been around longer. Or maybe it’s just a young coach still figuring out how to balance fairness and merit. But whatever the reason, it’s costing this team momentum at a time when consistency is everything.

If Canales really believes in his “best player plays” philosophy, it’s time to apply it across the board. Stick with Mays at center. Ride the hot hand with Rico. The tape does not lie and right now Dowdle gives the Panthers their best chance to win.

Takeaway from another(!!) Panthers win

That was a solid, not spectacular win for the Panthers. More thoughts to come, but the early takeaway is clear: Rico needs the bulk of the carries. He’s explosive and a consistent chain mover. Chuba has a role, but right now the conversation isn’t close, you’ve got to ride the hot hand.

Trap Game Prediction: Jets v. Panthers

I’m a pessimist by nature, and the last two weeks have gone a little too well for this Panthers team. That usually means trouble is coming. This feels like one of those games where things could get ugly. The Jets will finally find success running the ball, especially with their quarterback, and a banged-up Panthers offensive line won’t be able to create much against Quinnen Williams, Add in a very good Jets defensive coordinator, and it’s hard to see Carolina sustaining drives.

And then there’s Bryce Young’s road record,  it’s been abysmal. Until he proves he can win away from Charlotte, it’s hard to pick the Panthers in games like this.

I’ll take the Jets 19, Panthers 17.

Being Stubborn Pays Off.

The Carolina Panthers are finally doing what Head Coach Dave Canales has preached since his arrival in early 2024,  running the football with determination. His insistence on being “stubborn” with the ground game is finally taking hold. The team is also excelling at stopping the run, as shown in their performances against the Dolphins and Cowboys.

These two elements have long been the foundation of success in Carolina, dating back to John Fox’s tenure beginning in 2002. A strong running game and solid run defense can cover up a lot of deficiencies, whether in the roster or the schemes, and right now, the Panthers are proving just that.

This week, the Panthers need to stay committed to Rico and feed him the ball another 22 to 25 times. You could see him wearing down at points yesterday, but he was simply too effective to take off the field. With Chuba Hubbard expected to return, this is an ideal opportunity to ease him back in with around six to eight carries and keep the running game fresh.

On defense, the focus must be on selling out to stop the run. Justin Fields is not likely to beat them through the air, but his ability to extend drives with his legs is a real concern. If the Panthers fail to contain him, it could lead to long possessions that keep their defense on the field and allow the Jets to control the clock. The good news is that Turk Wharton’s expected return should bolster the defensive line and provide valuable depth up front.

Are the Panthers…Decent?

Yesterday was a huge win. The Panthers played well in all phases, aside from the McMillan interception. This victory was the result of what Dave Canales preached early on but didn’t fully commit to at first,  a stubbornness to run the ball. For two straight weeks, that commitment has paid off and led to wins.

Bryce did enough and was solid, but backed by the running game, they managed to put together another strong performance.

Now they head north to play the Jets. Have we finally reached an organizational point where we can say this could be a trap game before the Bills come to town?

That Winning Feeling? Prediction for Panthers/Cowboys

It’s amazing how much better a Monday feels after a Panthers win. Even though that game should never have been as close as it was, the Panthers, Bryce in particular, seemed to shoot themselves in the foot right out of the gate. They’re such a middling team that they can’t overcome those mistakes 99% of the time.

While the Cowboys game this week is winnable, the thought of this struggling franchise winning back-to-back games feels almost unthinkable. If the defense continues to play at the level we’ve seen the past two weeks, it’s possible. But any Bryce turnovers will almost certainly seal the game in favor of Dallas.

I think the Cowboys jump out to an early lead, forcing Bryce to play from behind, which might pad his stats, though we all know stats can lie. In the end, I see it: Cowboys 31, Panthers 24.

Prediction: September 28th

Solid performance last week from the Panthers. I’m 0-3 with my predictions so far, so in an effort to will them to another win, I’ll take the Patriots 21-20. The run defense will be key, and if Chuba has a big day on the ground, it could make all the difference.

False Spring?

Renewed Hope or False Spring?

Given the last seven years, it’s both easy to get excited for any signs of hope for improvement. But, it’s also fair for anyone to wonder if the Atlanta game was an aberration, which we’ve seen on occasion in the last three years. Think Green Bay game in 2023, and the progress at the end of last year that everyone hoped would carry over, but clearly didn’t.

I happen to believe that this team is closer to the one that we saw over the last six quarters than the first, but only time will tell.

The Panthers face a 1-2 New England Patriots this Sunday and you might be tempted to think that the Panthers will walk away with a win. And, they just might. But don’t overlook the Patriots strong run defense or the fact that this is the third road game in four weeks. This team hasn’t done great on the road and you’re just as likely to see a regression as a continuation of what we saw this past week.

But, I can’t help but think back to last year and remember that this team thrives with momentum, which they clearly have going into this week’s game. Let’s hope that they continue that trend and walk away with another confidence building win as they go into a stretch of winnable games. Hope springs eternal, after all, and it’s a lot more fun than finding out it was just a false spring in the midst of a long, hard winter.

Happy To Be Wrong.

The Panthers shocked everyone yesterday, myself included, after I predicted they would lose 27 to 17. I’ve got to hand it to them, they looked sharp in every aspect of the game. Bryce wasn’t asked to do much, but sometimes that’s exactly the kind of performance you need. The defense was outstanding aside from the hiccup on the punt return, special teams delivered, and I think holding Trevor Etienne accountable is the right move. For too long, accountability hasn’t been a staple in Carolina, and it’s refreshing to see that change.

Another thing I was clearly wrong about is Tetairoa McMillan as a prospect. He looks insanely athletic and plays like he’s already been in the league for three years.

Prediction For Falcons at Panthers

27-17 Falcons

I’ve got Atlanta coming out on top, 27 to 17. I don’t see the Panthers being able to contain Bijan Robinson, and I’ll go ahead and pencil him in for over 110 yards on the ground. I also think Kyle Pitts finally gets some steady usage,  5+ catches for at least 60 yards.

For Carolina, it’s already looking like a long season. The holes on both sides of the ball are glaring, and the results are starting to feel inevitable. I’ve already fired up the mock draft simulators, and it’s only Week 3.

Moral Victories Are Still Losses

I am not happy with a close loss or an “impressive” stat line. Mark Twain was right about stats, and Bryce’s numbers are meaningless when they’re manufactured while the team is down three scores. They only got back in the game against a prevent defense. They were beaten soundly by a bad team.

In a league designed to turn franchises around, you have to work really hard to screw up this badly time and time again. This organization is a joke, from the owner to the front office, the coaching staff, and maybe even the fans for being dumb enough to keep tuning in every week. Dave Canales never learns from week to week. The players are never held accountable; looking at you, Nick Scott. And just when you think they’ve hit rock bottom, they somehow manage to find a new low.

Do Or Die.

I don’t think it’s an overstatement to call Sunday’s game in Arizona a must win. History shows that falling to 0 to 2 makes the playoffs nearly impossible, and let’s be honest, no one really believes this Panthers team is built for more than 7 wins at best.

The formula has to change. Let Bryce play free, but lean on the run game, even when it is obvious. That is what this offensive line was built for, and the personnel, yes, looking at you Ickey, who should be back this week, are better suited for pounding the ball than sitting back in protection.

On defense, the approach has to be just as bold. Sell out to stop the run, even if it means giving up a couple of big plays through the air. A few slashes hurt less than death by a thousand cuts. Load the box with 7 or 8, and trust Jaycee to take away one side of the field.

It is time to do something different, because when the games have mattered, last year and in Week 1, what they have been doing has not worked.

And one more thing. I have never been a fan of overly emotional coaches, like when Mike Singletary once showed his “coin purse” to call out players. But Dave Canales is drifting closer to that danger zone. Now is the time to show some emotion, not necessarily positive, and hold both players and coaches (EE included) accountable.