The Carolina Panthers will be going through a transition phase this season after losing two of their most notable players over the last decade. Gone are former starting QB Jake Delhomme (Cleveland Browns) and DE Julius Peppers (Chicago Bears) from a team that played in Super Bowl XXXVIII a little less than seven years ago. Carolina head coach John Fox remains to try to re-build around the NFL’s third-best running game, led by two returning 1,000-yard rushers in Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. To help their chances against the NFL spreads, Fox will turn to third-year QB Matt Moore to replace Delhomme while rookie Jimmy Clausen learns behind him. Because Stewart and Williams can dominate by running the ball, Moore will not have a lot of pressure on him right away. But that could change down the line if the Panthers struggle and with Clausen breathing down his neck.
Odds to win NFC South Division: +600
Odds to win the NFC Conference: 22/1
Carolina Panthers Odds to win Super Bowl XLV: 50/1
Regular Season Wins Total Line: 7.5
*all odds quoted from Bodog*
Here’s what this year’s schedule looks like for the Panthers:
Week 1 Sunday, September 12, 2010 @ New York Giants
Analysis: This is a big game for both teams to start the season after each struggled through disappointing campaigns a year ago without making the playoffs.
Week 2 Sunday, September 19, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Analysis: The Panthers got off to an 0-3 start last season and never really recovered, making this game very important to win considering the next two are against playoff teams from last year.
Week 3 Sunday, September 26, 2010 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Analysis: The Bengals will be playing the first of two straight games on the road at Carolina following matchups with New England and Baltimore to start the season.
Week 4 Sunday, October 3, 2010 @ New Orleans Saints
Analysis: The Saints get their third home game in the first four weeks of the season and will be coming off a tough divisional game vs. Atlanta.
Week 5 Sunday, October 10, 2010 vs. Chicago Bears
Analysis: The Panthers host Peppers in his first return to Charlotte after signing with Chicago as a free agent in the offseason.
Week 6 — BYE WEEK —
Week 7 Sunday, October 24, 2010 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Analysis: The 49ers visit Carolina in their only road game over a four-week period before heading into their bye.
Week 8 Sunday, October 31, 2010 @ St. Louis Rams
Analysis: The Panthers play the first of four road games over the next six weeks, but none of the teams they will play away from home during that stretch won more than five games a year ago.
Week 9 Sunday, November 7, 2010 vs. New Orleans Saints
Analysis: Carolina actually outscored New Orleans 43-40 in splitting two meetings last season, although the last one was meaningless for the eventual Super Bowl champs.
Week 10 Sunday, November 14, 2010 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Analysis: The Panthers swept both meetings with Tampa last season, outscoring the Bucs by a 44-27 margin.
Week 11 Sunday, November 21, 2010 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Analysis: The Ravens will be playing their second straight road game against an NFC South opponent after visiting Atlanta the week before.
Week 12 Sunday, November 28, 2010 @ Cleveland Browns
Analysis: The Browns will be playing their only home game in five weeks against Carolina, and Delhomme should be fired up to play his former team if he is still the starting QB.
Week 13 Sunday, December 5, 2010 @ Seattle Seahawks
Analysis: Seattle hosts the Panthers in the second of two straight home games against non-divisional opponents before visiting NFC West foe San Francisco.
Week 14 Sunday, December 12, 2010 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Analysis: Carolina split two meetings with Atlanta last season, outscoring them 48-47.
Week 15 Sunday, December 19, 2010 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Analysis: Matt Leinart and the Cardinals visit Carolina before finishing up the season with two difficult games against Dallas and San Francisco while the Panthers play their home finale.
Week 16 Thursday, December 23, 2010 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Analysis: Carolina will be playing its only prime-time TV game of the season on Thursday Night Football against a Pittsburgh team that will be coming off a physical game against the Jets.
Week 17 Sunday, January 2, 2011 @ Atlanta Falcons
Analysis: The Panthers wrap up the regular season on the road and could either be fighting for a playoff berth here or trying to knock the Falcons out of contention for the NFC South division title.
For more info on this years NFL season check out the NFL expert picks maddux is offering to all visitors.
