Let’s start with an overview into this Panthers schedule and into each game. It’s favorable. Even more favorable knowing we just need seven wins. I give each game a win confidence level and a life or death pick. Let’s go over each game and get a better understanding of how we get to 7.
Week 1: Cleveland Browns
Life or Death Pick: W (1-0)
Win Confidence: 8/10
The Panthers need to start the season with a win. They can still lose this game but this is a great spot for them to start strong. Crazy offseason for the Browns. Revenge game for Baker. At home. CMC healthy. I think they start with a win.
Week 2: At New York Giants
Life or Death Pick: W (2-0)
Win Confidence: 10/10
Baker vs Jones. How do they lose this? Giants with a new head coach and probably the worst QB in the league. I see this as a guaranteed win. This Giants team is a joke and this Panthers team comes in and stomps them in New York.
Week 3: New Orleans Saints
Life or Death Pick: L (2-1)
Win Confidence: 5/10
This series I think splits. It’s a tough matchup to call with a new head coach and Jameis coming back from injury. I just think Carolina can get one win whether it’s this week or at the end of the year.
Week 4: Arizona Cardinals
Life or Death Pick: L (2-2)
Win Confidence: 3/10
I am a believer in the Cardinals this year. I think this is a tough spot for Carolina and I lean with a Cardinals win. Hopkins isn’t back yet so that could help but it will be very very tough to get a win.
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers
Life or Death Pick: L (2-3)
Win Confidence: 5/10
This 49ers team and matchup is also tough to put a read on. I don’t believe in Lance but I do believe in Shanahan. I very very slightly lean loss because of the head coach matchup. Carolina having the better QB and being at home could still be a win but I am marking it as a loss.
Week 6: At Los Angeles Rams
Life or Death Pick: L (2-4)
Win Confidence: 0/10
Miracles can happen but I don’t see them winning this game. It would take a lot of SB regression for them to have a chance.
Week 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Life or Death Pick: L (2-5)
Win Confidence: 3/10
I think the Panthers can beat the Bucs but not in this spot. The Bucs should be still pretty healthy and needing wins in this time of the season so this is still a tough spot.
Week 8: At Atlanta Falcons
Life or Death Pick: W (3-5)
Win Confidence: 8/10
I have no belief in the Falcons. I think Carolina sweeps them. Smith doesn’t know what he is doing. I don’t believe in Mariota. This team is tanking.
Week 9: At Cincinnati Bengals
Life or Death Pick: L (3-6)
Win Confidence: 1/10
I see some regression for the Bengals but not enough to lose this game. Carolina should be coming off a win and have a let down performance in Cincinnati. Only reason it’s at a 1/10 is because Baker could have motivation to beat a former enemy.
Week 10: Atlanta Falcons
Life or Death Pick: W (4-6)
Win Confidence: 6/10
Beating a team twice is tough. Beating a team twice in the span of three weeks and on a Thursday is even tougher. But I still believe in this Carolina team to sweep the series. I am picking Rhule/Baker vs Smith/Mariota and I feel confident about it.
Week 11: At Baltimore Ravens
Life or Death Pick: L (4-7)
Win Confidence: 3/10
I think the Ravens are legit this year. Ravens are coming off a bye so this is a guaranteed loss. Harbaugh has an amazing record coming off the bye. It is what it is.
Week 12: Denver Broncos
Life or Death Pick: W (5-7)
Win Confidence: 5/10
I don’t believe in the Broncos and I believe in the Panthers. Simple. It’s tough to figure out the Broncos but I do believe Wilson is washed up and the Panthers at home can pull out this tough close win.
Week 13: BYE
Week 14: At Seattle Seahawks
Life or Death Pick: W (6-7)
Win Confidence: 8/10
I can’t even predict who the QB of the Seahawks will be at this part of the season. This team looks to be tanking. Coming off a bye it should be an easy win.
Week 15: Pittsburgh Steelers
Life or Death Pick: W (7-7)
Win Confidence: 7/10
Steelers coming into this season in a rebuild mode Post Ben era. I think Pickett is starting this game and I have faith this Panthers team can beat a rookie QB.
Week 16: Detroit Lions
Life or Death Pick: W (8-7)
Win Confidence: 7/10
Another team in rebuild mode. Yea they are entertaining in hard knocks but I still don’t believe in Goff or Campbell. They should be at this point of the season tanking for a QB in the draft. Carolina should roll them.
Week 17: At Tampa Bay Bucs
Life or Death Pick: W (9-7)
Win Confidence: 5/10
I say we win this game. Hear me out. One of three scenarios seems highly likely. 1. Brady gets injured or he just isn’t that good. He is 45. 2. Tampa rests Brady as they have a playoff spot secured. And he is 45. 3. Carolina is good and they show Tampa that they are on their level. One of those scenarios happens and Carolina wins.
Week 18: At New Orleans Saints
Life or Death Pick: W (10-7)
Win Confidence: 6/10
I think this series splits. And whether Carolina won the first game or this game it splits. Carolina finishes the season on a six win streak and they make the playoffs with a win against New Orleans.
Expected Overall Life or Death Picks: 10-7
You can change some of these wins and losses but I feel solid about getting seven wins. The key to this working is starting off and ending strong for Carolina. The middle of the schedule is tough but I could see a way for them to sneak in a win or two. Another key is at the bare minimum getting 3 wins in the division. I think they get 4 but we just need 3. This is a very basic look into the schedule but this is the path to 7. This is why we #KeepFknPounding.
