Pressure on the Panthers Now

[MainePatsFan26]

Whether those of us on this message board like it or not, this week's loss takes a lot of pressure off the Patriots on the national stage. With the injuries and loss in their pocket, there is a built in excuse of sorts and the Patriots can get back to grinding out wins without much attention until the playoffs.

What I'm curious about is the intense pressure now foisted upon the Panthers as the only undefeated team. They are a good to great team with good to great quarterback that I believe is up to the task of 16-0 with their paltry schedule down the stretch. Granted on paper it equals the Patriots in terms of win percentage, but two of those games are against the free-falling Falcons. Does the added national scrutiny that inevitably grow around the Panthers help their efforts to lock up homefield and win during the playoffs? Or is "perfection" an albatross around their necks?

While 19-0 would be fantastic, winning Super Bowls year in and year out is more impressive. I'd rather be the Pats than the 17-0 Dolphins who never became a true dynasty.

 

[FourierSeries]

You thought they hated us after SB38? Just wait until we end their perfect season in SB50.

 

[Zuma]

Yep..a lot to be said for all that. The pressure is on the Panthers...and it's going to be overwhelming. We don't have the same pressure now. IMO we will play looser. The game will be more enjoyable for the players. I don't care if we lose a game as long as we win another Super Bowl.

 

[HeadHunter]

The NFC sucks this year. Looking at their schedule they probably go 16-0 but I don't think there is a snow balls chance they win it all.

 

[Todd Bradley]

I can absolutely see them pulling a 2010 Colts and resting their starters once the #1 seed is locked up, leading to a loss or two.

 

[VectorPrime]

Back in 2007 everyone wanted the Pats to fail. This time most people around the country would like to see the Panthers succeed. The difference in pressure will be night and day.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

To me they are the best team in the nfc but the best team can lose in the playoffs. I would be shocked though if they are not
in the nfc championship game.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

Cam is 23rd in QBR ratings this season. I don't care what anyone says, he's overrated.

 

[Brady_2_Moss]

Panthers have momentum and may possibly go 16-0. Newton is playing well, but I'm not sure that team has what it takes to win a championship, especially against a HEALTHY pats team. However, if we don't get healthy, different story.

 

[PatriotsPimp136]

Cam is 23rd in QBR ratings this season. I don't care what anyone says, he's overrated.

Name me a wr that scares u on that team? He's throwing to tight ends. If they had Benjamin then his numbers would be much better

 

[ausbacker]

I don't care about the NFC until the Super Bowl.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

Name me a wr that scares u on that team? He's throwing to tight ends. If they had Benjamin then his numbers would be much better

Russell Wilson
Teddy Bridgewater.
Alex Smith
JOSH MCCOWN

These are 4 QB's that have about the same talent s a supporting cast, yet they all have much better QB'R ratings.

OBR is also a stat that isn't really inflated.
Yes he's stepped up several times, and I have mad respect for that. However I think his dancing and ball giving away has gotten him more attention then he deserves.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

They are reminding me of the Tennessee Titans back in 2003 when Steve McNair had his co-MVP season. McNair totally carried that team and he really didn't have a lot of talent on Offense either that season except Derrick Mason.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

Back in 2007 everyone wanted the Pats to fail. This time most people around the country would like to see the Panthers succeed. The difference in pressure will be night and day.

Good point, though I almost feel being hated gives you resolve while being loved gives a different sort of pressure because if you fail, everyone is so disappointed.