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The Carolina Panthers have seen their entire season come off the rails in the past few weeks. Carolina (6-7) has lost five in a row and very recently controlled their own destiny in terms of a playoff berth.
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Now, the chances of a playoff appearance are still alive, but they are going to need help. No matter how much help they get, one thing is certain: the Panthers need to win out if they have any intention of playing postseason football this year. Having two of those three remaining games be against the league best New Orleans Saints does not help, but the Panthers have quite simply done this to themselves. The Panthers are +6 point underdogs as they welcome in their division rival.
Up and Down Season
Carolina’s season can be categorized into two separate sections. The first part had them at 6-2 and challenging the Saints for division supremacy. In those eight games, the Panthers had a +8 turnover differential because their defense was playing opportunistically and the offense just was not turning the ball over. In the latter part of the season, the 0-5 portion, the Saints have posted a -6 turnover margin. Quite simply, the Panthers cannot afford for this trend to continue Monday night against the Saints. The Panthers can ill afford to grant the Saints any good field position or additional possessions by their own ability to hang on to the ball.
Season on The Brink
The Panthers know their season is on the line on Monday night, so their energy level should not be an issue. However, it will be key for Carolina to manage that energy. The Panthers are just 2-5 in games decided by a touchdown or fewer this year and they simply have not been able to finish off close contests.
The chances of the Panthers knocking off the Saints solely rests on the throwing arm of Cam Newton. New Orleans boasts one of the top rushing defenses in the league, so Christian McCaffrey may be in for a long day on the ground, so Newton will have to throw the team to victory. Newton is nursing an ailing shoulder, but Carolina is going to need him to revert to MVP Cam Newton if they hope to knock off the Saints not once, but twice, down the stretch.
Huge Game Monday Night
The Saints have shown a few chinks in the armor as of late, losing to Dallas and being down big to Tampa Bay before rallying in the second half. Expect Carolina to keep this close, as they always do. Energy, motivation, and desire should not be an issue on Monday night, but if it is, you may not see Ron Rivera around much longer. Rivera is known as a great motivator so now it is time to see that on display. Panthers cover, but fall to 2-6 in games decided by less than a touchdown. Saints win 27-24.
