2014 Panthers NFL Handicapping
Panthers Will Shock The NFL World With Major Collapse In 2014
The Carolina Panthers shocked the NFL world when they won 12 games in 2013 to clinch an NFC South title and their first playoff berth in five years. It might be just as shocking for their fans when they crash down in 2014.
Five of Carolina’s 12 wins came by four points or fewer a year ago and concerns about quarterback Cam Newton’s health and a disappointing offseason are the two biggest reasons to expect regression this year.
2014 Carolina Panthers Team Preview/Predictions
- 2013 Record: 12-4
- ATS Record: 9-6-1
2014 Panthers Futures
- Super Bowl Odds: +2800
- Conference Odds: +1600
- NFC South Odds: +275
- 2014 NFL Regular Season Wins: 8.5
Newton has admitted he still isn’t close to being at 100-percent following offseason ankle surgery and the fact that he has come right out and said it ahead of time is a major warning sign. Newton threw a career-high 24 touchdown passes and posted an 88.8 passer rating in 2013 but his mobility is one of his biggest strengths and he may not feel nearly as comfortable in the pocket if he isn’t confident in his ability to move around.
It also won’t help that Carolina lost its top three receivers from a year ago with Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, and Ted Ginn all moving on. The Panthers drafted Florida State standout Kelvin Benjamin in the first round to be the No. 1 receiver for years to come. Benjamin is a big, physical receiver with great hands and he has the potential to be a star.
Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, and Tiquan Underwood were signed in free agency to fill out the receiving core and while they each bring something to the table there has to be concerns about chemistry until they get their reps in with Newton.
Carolina will once again rely on the trio of DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and Mike Tolbert to run the football. Williams is still the biggest threat to make a big play but he doesn’t have the size to hold up if given a full workload.
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The offensive line has a major hole after Pro Bowl left tackle Jordan Gross retired unexpectedly. Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil is back but Byron Bell will move from the right side to left tackle and rookie third-round pick Trai Turner will be plugged in at right guard with Nate Chandler moving to right tackle.
The defense also took a hit with top cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and safety Mike Mitchell both exciting in free agency. The Panthers used their franchise tag to bring back Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy and then drafted rookie defensive end Kony Ealy in the second round.
Carolina recorded a league-high 60 sacks a year ago with Hardy and Charles Johnson leading the way and Ealy could see time in pass-rush situations with either Hardy or Johnson moving inside. Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short are both coming off solid rookie seasons and the expectation is they will continue to get better at the tackle spots.
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Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly is a star and he will be flanked by Thomas Davis on the strong side. Kuechly and Davis rarely come off the field with Chase Blackburn back on the weak side. The real problem comes in the secondary where Carolina failed to adequately replace Munnerlyn and Mitchell.
Undrafted free agent Melvin White will man one cornerback spot while Antoine Cason should beat out Charles Godfrey for the other starting job. Thomas DeCoud is an underwhelming option to replace Mitchell at free safety but rookie fourth-round pick Tre Boston isn’t ready to start right away.
The Panthers signed Roman Harper to man the strong safety spot and the depth is thin with Robert Lester listed as the backup and Godfrey potentially moving over if needed.
Even with Newton at full strength the Panthers would seem likely to take a step back in 2014 based on the personnel loss alone.
Newton has spent the offseason recovering from surgery rather than working with his new receivers and the offensive line and defensive secondary both took major hits.
Carolina surprised everyone with 12 wins in 2013 but it could be primed to shock the NFL world for all of the wrong reasons this coming season.
2014 Panthers Predictions
- Place they’ll finish in NFC South: 4th
- Place they’ll finish in NFC Conference: 16th
- Over/Under Wins Prediction: UNDER
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