2003 Carolina Panthers
Posted: Sun May 24, 2026 1:03 pm
Seems this Super Bowl participant doesn't get much love. Yes, just #16 in offense; quite better at #8 on D. But just a paltry +21 PD for an 11-5 finisher.
A soft division and soft schedule. No quality-wins, really, to speak of. Yes, an overtime win at Indy to complete their 5-0 start, but Edgerrin was out (the other Ricky Williams in). They then get waffled, brought down-to-earth, at home vs Titans, 37-17, the following week. Wks #12 & #13 respectively, they lose at Dallas and then at home to Philly by more than a TD. That dropped them to 8-4 only to then lose the following week at not-good Atlanta in OT (now 8-5).
But rally, they did, to 11-5 with three more soft opponents remaining.
In fairness, however, they dealt with many injuries. And come playoff-time, they over-achieved when needed! I wasn't surprised, at the time, they getting revenge at home over Dallas in the 1st-Rd, but beating Rams in StL a surprise! And I didn't see Eagles letting down yet again this time, especially with the logic that Panthers would be worn-out in that double-OT affair (house-money has now run out, law-of-averages now taking over, etc).
But wrong I was! And then to simply give the Pats everything they possibly had two weeks later...(had them up against the ropes)...yes, 'everyone' gave the Pats a game in their SBs, but still.
So what are your takes?
Will anyone here dare 'stir-the-pot' and actually give these guys more kudos than...Carolina's 2015 installment??
A soft division and soft schedule. No quality-wins, really, to speak of. Yes, an overtime win at Indy to complete their 5-0 start, but Edgerrin was out (the other Ricky Williams in). They then get waffled, brought down-to-earth, at home vs Titans, 37-17, the following week. Wks #12 & #13 respectively, they lose at Dallas and then at home to Philly by more than a TD. That dropped them to 8-4 only to then lose the following week at not-good Atlanta in OT (now 8-5).
But rally, they did, to 11-5 with three more soft opponents remaining.
In fairness, however, they dealt with many injuries. And come playoff-time, they over-achieved when needed! I wasn't surprised, at the time, they getting revenge at home over Dallas in the 1st-Rd, but beating Rams in StL a surprise! And I didn't see Eagles letting down yet again this time, especially with the logic that Panthers would be worn-out in that double-OT affair (house-money has now run out, law-of-averages now taking over, etc).
But wrong I was! And then to simply give the Pats everything they possibly had two weeks later...(had them up against the ropes)...yes, 'everyone' gave the Pats a game in their SBs, but still.
So what are your takes?
Will anyone here dare 'stir-the-pot' and actually give these guys more kudos than...Carolina's 2015 installment??