Ok, count us in as jumping on board with the Carolina Panthers now. They’ve done enough to this point to warrant some recognition. They have won seven games in a row, and during that streak have victories over teams like San Francisco and New England. Quarterback Cam Newton is impressing, and the Panthers are playing well on both sides of the ball.
Oddsmakers certainly are on the Carolina bandwagon. The latest edition of 2014 Super Bowl betting lines found at Bovada Sportsbook have them fifth overall (10/1). They are behind only Seattle, Denver, New Orleans, and New England.
That Panthers defense sure is turning some heads as well. They rank in the top-seven in passing yards allowed and the top-three in rushing yards allowed. In fact, the most points they’ve surrendered all season has been 24 to Buffalo in Week 2. During the win streak, they’ve given up 20 points or more twice. Five times, they’ve limited their opponents to 16 points or fewer. That has alleviated much of the pressure to score, but at the same time hasn’t stopped the offense either. Four of those seven wins in a row have been by a margin of 15 points or more.
It’s been pretty close over the course of the last three weeks though. This can be a good sign going forward that Carolina is able to win the close battle as well. They defeated San Francisco by one point, and New England and Miami by four points.
Perhaps the biggest tests remain for the Panthers though. They have yet to play New Orleans and will get them twice in three weeks beginning in Week 14. Four of the last five games for Carolina are division matchups, which will go a long way in determining if they will be able to chase down the Saints in the NFC South.
As it stands, a position in the wildcard is looking pretty good. But if the Panthers go on to beat Tampa Bay and then New Orleans over the next two weeks (Week 13 and Week 14), look for Super Bowl odds to be all over this team around the middle of December.
We have already learned some about this Panthers team and how they are different from season’s past, but there is still much to be learned as we come down the home stretch of the season with postseason aspirations on the line.