Carolina Panthers fans and players are sharing a moment in history as the team is 7-0 for the first time ever. Expectations continue to fluctuate as fans believe in the unit while pundits question how “real” they are for the long-term. Either way, the team is enjoying a level of success that has never been embraced by the Charlotte organization.
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This Sunday is a major test as the 6-1 Green Bay Packers are coming to Bank of America Stadium to attempt to give the Panthers their first defeat of the year. Carolina will have to fire on all cylinders if they are going to walk out 8-0. Can they do it? Yes, they can – if they can correct some key points of contention that bothered them to this point.
From a defensive standpoint, the Packers have not performed exceptionally. They are allowing 375.7 yards per game which slots them towards the lower end of total team defense in the NFL. With both Clay Matthews and Sam Shields questionable for this game, the Panthers have to find a way to leverage their attack to control the clock and keep the Packers offense off the field.
Carolina continues to overpower teams with their running attack. Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart are a 1-2 punch that teams struggle to rein in. Mike Tolbert is quietly continuing him impactful play and can explode for a major game at any moment. The Panthers can confidently lean on their running game because it has performed well against strong defenses throughout this year. Green Bay should expect a heavy dosage of this attack on Sunday.
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The real question stands with how well Newton will perform as a passer. Much of this year he’s looked more like a game-manager, rather than the franchise quarterback that can carry an organization on his shoulders. While he makes up much of this gap with his running abilities, 2015 has been a year that he and many others hoped to see him turn a corner into an elite passer. He’s been mostly consistent, but there are moments in which his bad decision making and staring down a receiver continue to show up.
A few times this season the Packers have been burned by teams that have two strong receiving options. The Panthers have one in Greg Olsen, but eight games into the year they are still looking for that second option. With very few capable options and the trade deadline come and gone, it’s time for Ted Ginn, Jr. and Corey Brown to fulfill this role. The Packers will hone in on Olsen to try to slow down his big year, but either one of these men need to perform and perform well if Carolina is to win this crucial game.
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The Panthers have been criticized heavily for their “weak” schedule through the first seven games of the year. Winning against the Packers will help alleviate some of the pressure and criticism they are feeling. Still, that is an extremely heavy lift as the Sunday showdown approaches.