2007 Carolina Panthers NFL Predictions & Season Preview
June 5, 2008
Our 2007 Panthers predictions should be on the good side of their every other year pattern of over-performing and under-performing compared to expectations. In 2003 they made the Super Bowl, in 2004 they missed the playoffs, in 2005 the team made it to the NFC Championship, and in 2006 as the favorite to win the NFC they tanked and only won half their games. Let’s see if this year’s team follows suit. The team will have to be better offensively. Fox has always wanted to be run-first, but he hasn’t been able to establish that philosophy since 2003. Once again the talent is at Steve Smith and wide receiver.
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At quarterback the team is hoping for a lot more out of Jake Delhomme this year, and if they don’t get it then they will turn the ball over to David Carr. Delhomme had too many picks and bad decisions last year, especially when the game was on the line. Carr never really got things going in Houston, but he still has the talent to live up to his no. 1 overall pick status. The running back situation is up in the air. The team has second-year guy DeAngelo Williams who is possibly the top guy after showing some brilliance at times last year. DeShaun Foster is also there, but he has had all kinds of problems staying healthy and has never been able to be the primary guy. At receiver the team has Steve Smith which is a Pro Bowl perennial, but as the only real threat gets all of the attention. The team is hoping Dwayne Jarrett can step up and make some plays, especially since he will be seeing single coverage.
The defense is pretty tough, just as it has been every year under Fox, but the strength lies almost exclusively with the front four. Julius Peppers is one of the best players in the NFL and the leader of this defense, but will see more than his fair share of double teams with Michael Rucker coming back from knee surgery and a rookie as his possible replacement. The tackles are run-stuffers, but Kris Jenkins can also rush the passer with success. Thomas Davis and Dan Morgan are solid talents, but Morgan has had problems staying healthy. The team spent their no. 1 draft pick on Jon Beason and he most likely will see time at weak-side linebacker. The secondary is weakened by the safety position with Mike Minter getting up there in years and Nate Salley not getting the toughest of guys. At cornerback the team is pretty loaded with Chris Gamble, Richard Marshall, and Ken Lucas.
The Panthers seem to have the most successful time when they are underdogs and off the radar. This team the Saints are the favorites of the division so it’s the perfect spot for Carolina. We are taking the Panthers as the NFC Wild Card and while they can’t take the Saints, they’ll get to double digit wins and be able to go OVER the total. This team is a solid bet for the division and NFC.
Odds on Season Win Totals:
Sportsbook: o9.0(
+110) u9.0(
-140)
Odds to Win the NFC South:
Bookmaker:
+205
Sportsbook:
+175
BetUS:
+180
Odds to Win the NFC:
Bookmaker:
+615
Sportsbook:
+600
BetUS:
+800
Odds to Win the Super Bowl:
Bookmaker:
+1400
Sportsbook:
+2500
BetUS:
+2000