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is this really what it has come down to guys?
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story...ff-paper-tiger
Panthers aren't playoff contenders
Game tape and metrics reveal that Carolina has several key weaknesses
Updated: December 5, 2013, 5:40 PM ET
By KC Joyner | ESPN Insider
Bob Donnan/USA TODAY SportsCam Newton and the Panthers are on an eight-game winning streak. But how long will it last?
This has been a season of ascension for the Carolina Panthers. After three straight losing campaigns and a playoff drought extending back to 2008, the Panthers are now the owners of the longest win streak in the NFL (eight games) and have a 98.4 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to Football Outsiders. They are headed into a Week 14 matchup with the New Orleans Saints to determine first place in the NFC South.But as great as this streak has been for the Panthers, it is something of a mirage. A closer look at the metrics and game tape indicates that Carolina has a slew of weaknesses that make this team a potential playoff paper tiger.
Anemic downfield passing game
Prior to this season, Cam Newton could be viewed as a modern-day Brett Favre, a quarterback who seemed to go all out for the reward of downfield passes while throwing caution to the wind. This led to some prolific vertical totals such as when he ranked tied for third in vertical attempts in 2011, but it also led to a 4.2 percent bad decision rate (BDR) that ranked 31st in the league in that same campaign. BDR is a gauge of how often a QB makes a mental error that leads to a turnover opportunity for the opposing team, and that level is simply too high for most teams to overcome.
Since Newton's BDR was still an issue in 2012 (3.1 percent, ranked tied for 35th), new offensive coordinator Mike Shula seemed to make correcting this part of Newton's game a top priority.
At one level this approach has worked like a champ, as Newton's 2.1 percent BDR is easily the lowest of his career, but that improvement has come at a significant cost in vertical productivity.
To read more about why the Carolina Panthers aren't a playoff contender, you must be an ESPN Insider.
is this really what it has come down to guys?
the next few games will be telling of how has improved, but my sentiments towards him hasnt changed, still a very good game manager tbh.
You have any idea what the words...game manager...even mean?
Truth bombs, tbh.... either needs to stop being a game manager or they need a real QB to win in the playoffs, tbh....
please got, enlighten me.
and he disappears
I guess he's going on to spend some of that $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ he won
yeah, it's not like they can pull off 8 straight victories, tbh
yeah because that's such a reliable indicator of future playoff success.
we are second in the league in point differential, first in ppg allowed, first in 3rd down % percentage, 1st in 4th down completion percentage, 3rd against the rush, 9th against the pass..
our running game is the best in the league, and our QB has been very accurate in clutch situations the past few weeks.
NO is gonna be a tough game, and I wouldn't be surprised to lose that game. but i think this team will be ready come playoff time.
first round fodder for romo and the gang
Flacco managed the game until his fourth season. Sure, he flashed like Newton has, but he had no consistency at all (still doesn't). I think the Panthers stand a great chance against the Eagles, Cowboys and Lions. I think game-managers win just as many playoff games a glass-cannon teams do.
can you guys lose 3 of the last 4 so the jags playoff hopes are still alive, por favor
Sorry, man. Got a streak to keep.can you guys lose 3 of the last 4 so the jags playoff hopes are still alive, por favor
Flacco wasn't a conventional game manager during Baltimore's SB run, though, he had over 30 pass attempts in the final 3 games of the playoffs..he's better suited as a game manager, obviously, but I don't think he should be labeled as such in regards to his SB run, tbh..
Baltimore deserved their SB, as does any team that wins, but I think it's fair to say that Flacco's run was a little fluky and he played over his head, tbh..
Flacco is like the Danny Green of quarterbacks. He's very streaky. His Super Bowl run was like Green's Finals run had Danny continued through the last two games.
Anyway, I was talking about Joe from 2008 to 2011 when the Ravens were still a strong playoff team. Flacco was really good against the Pats in 2012 as well. So while I totally agree that it was fluky and even somewhat lucky, I think it's well within his ability to have the best QB performance in the playoffs again, especially now that Pitta is back.
I don't mean to say Cam is taking his team all the way this year playing like he is. I was just saying that game-managing quarterbacks have post-season success since playoff football is still reliant on strong defense and a good running game. The Panthers can win a game or two this year if they draw the Eagles or Lions.
One thing hurting the Panthers more than Cam is that their secondary sucks.
I cannot believe the stupid I read on this forum, amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nobody was going to beat the Saints coming off a loss back at home on a Sunday night in front of the world, it ain't got to do with Carolina, it was the..."spot"...they were in. Just like the..."spot"..Seattle was in.
Who has beaten New Orleans in New Orleans this season?
Carolina is one of the better teams in the leagur and totally playoff ready.
ing rookies..sheesh~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey man, who are your favourite Left Tackles in NFL history, tbh?..
Old Charger Ron Mix and Niner Bob St.Clair. Both in the Hall of Fame, why you asking ?
Gambling addict and worst bettor in NFL history
They're lacking a number one receiver. Panthers should have jumped on the Josh Gordon possibility, cuz an old Steve Smith & butterfingered Brandon Lafell ain't gonna cut it.
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