Oh what a feeling. A feeling that just nearly tops Christmas morning. Football is back. Yes, I know. College Football started two weeks ago with a sleeper of a game in Cal vs. Hawaii. The NFL just has that next tier of excitement. Swag, talent, and familiar faces- its all there. Being able to see the same faces and same personalities battle with each other year in and year out is entertainment at its finest
What a game to start the season off with too. A Superbowl rematch that boasts loads of talent. Cam and Luke are looking for revenge after a long summer sixteen. Von Miller has just been living it up this offseason, from Dancing with the Stars to that kind of catchy Madden 17 commercial, he has been blowing up the air ways in the face of Cam and the Panthers. Many of the Panthers players have been down playing this game and saying its like any other. But we all know, as Panthers fans, that this is not just another game. The Broncos took what was one of the best seasons of all time and squashed it in the worst way possible. Our offense played just awful and the Sheriff just managing the fuck out of the game. Six turnovers and Cam just seemed to be off on all of his first half throws. But this is a new year and things change. The Panthers need this game, badly.
Here are my three keys to a Panthers Victory:
1. A productive run game
This is where the Panthers fell short in the Super Bowl. Even though the Panthers had over 100 yards rushing in the game, the way in which the Panthers ran was not productive. The Panthers offense functions through their rushing game. I think if the Panthers do not have atleast 150 total rushing yards by the time the clock strikes zeroes, I am not confident they will pull this one out.
2. Hold on to the damn ball
The amount of times the Panthers lost the football in the SuperBowl was just outstanding. It seemed as though Panthers were just giving the Broncos the game. The defense would hold the Broncos to three and outs and then Cam and Co. would drop the ball, no pun intended. It's pretty simple. We need to play the possession game against the Broncos. Hold the ball and wear the DEs on zone and option reads. Get Von and Demarcus thinking on the outside so they can't just pin their ears back and get after Cam.
3. Protect the CBs
The Panthers need a big game out of their front seven. Considered one of the best in the game, Luke and TD will be anchoring a front seven that has versatility and power to dominate the best of offenses. But behind them, there are two rookie DBs that will be starting on the outside. I believe Thomas and Saunders are grossly underrated and have the ability to beat the best of them. I also think Trevor Siemian is a solid QB that won't make many mistakes and has a seriously powerful arm. That's why Luke will have to do what he did against the greatest QB of all time and confuse him with different looks and schemes. This will allow a little bit of leeway for the rookies to get adjusted under the lights. I also think Kurt Coleman will have to have a big game because of his veteran presence and ability to make game changing plays.
EM Prediction:
Panthers-20 Broncos-17
I think this is gonna be a dog fight. Simply just a great game coming your way. I think its going to come down to a couple of plays and I think the law of averages is on the side of the Panthers here. It seemed as though everything went against them in the SuperBowl and I think they have a chip on their shoulder because of that. There may be a little bit of bias in this decision because I do think the Broncos are going to come out hot. But I think the difference in experience between Newton and Siemian will eventually be the difference in the game.
Not if:
If Trevor Simian has a passer rating over 100 and a completion % over 62, I believe the Panthers could be in for trouble
EM Best Line:
Under (41.5)
This line is just too easy, get it before it drops even lower. Two of the best defenses in the league battling it out.