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November 18, 2008
Last time Panthers were 8-2? Super Bowl season
The Panthers have been 8-2 only once before -- their 2003 Super Bowl season.
And while the Panthers hope they end up at the same destination this year, they'd probably like to take a different route than the 2003 team did. That season, the Panthers followed their 8-2 start with a three-game losing streak. Although they righted themselves by winning their final three regular-season games and then three playoff games before the Super Bowl loss to New England, losing three straight is never a good thing.
Here are a few comparisons to what happened to the Panthers then and what they're facing now:
-- The Panthers, who have a one-game lead on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South this season, won the division by three games over the New Orleans Saints (8-8) in ’03.
-- After starting 8-2 in 2003, the Panthers finished with six games against teams that ended the season with a combined record of 40-56 (41.6 per cent). None of this season’s final-six opponents is under .500 and they’ve got combined winning percentage of 64.4.
-- Jake Delhomme finished that season with a passer rating of 80.6; he’s at 78.4 now. Stephen Davis led the team with 1,444 yards rushing; DeAngelo Williams has 782 now and is on pace for 1,251. Backup DeShaun Foster rushed for 429 yards in ’03 and rookie Jonathan Stewart already has 513 this season. Defensive end Mike Rucker’s 12.0 sacks led the ’03 team; Julius Peppers already has 9.0 this season.
We'll have a full story on this in Wednesday's Observer.
-- David Scott
Posted by Observer Sports on November 18, 2008 at 03:13 PM | Permalink
Comments
Excellent comparisons. You made some good points too. Note how much of a beast Stephen Davis was that year. He even missed a game or two with an undisclosed injury, and still racked up yards with opponents diving right at his ankle when they found out what the injury was.
Posted by: Keeping It Real | Nov 18, 2008 3:58:18 PM
I hate to break it, but the Bucs have a much easier schedule than us and are only a game behind us. If we don't beat them and the Falcons, they will take the NFC South, and we'll be fighting for a wild card position.
Posted by: Justin | Nov 18, 2008 4:40:56 PM
Have the Panthers thrown at all to their running backs? The only one I can think of is that overthrow of Hoover against the Raiders which sailed over his head for an INT. There seems to be very little checking down, Jake throws to the primary receiver even if he's covered. Is it possible that they went with a bare bones game plan against Oak and Det and will expand the playbook when we get to better opposition?
Posted by: billy | Nov 18, 2008 5:25:35 PM
This is completely unrelated, but I've heard speculation that the Panthers play up or down to opponents because they limit their playbook accordingly. I know Coach Fox always says the obligatory cliches (any given Sunday, the other team practices too, etc.), but is it possible that he scales back the game plan signigicantly for "struggling" teams? Anybody else heard these rumors?
Posted by: jeff | Nov 18, 2008 5:29:57 PM
Jeff, I heard that comment you just mentioned on the NFL channel this morning. If that’s true, it means that Foxy is brilliant, really. Why show the tough teams what you got, when you can take on the losers and not give up any game film secrets to the bad boys.
Posted by: KKMartin | Nov 18, 2008 5:41:14 PM
Hmmm...can it really be that the head cooch is as "dumb as a fox" after all? How flipping brilliant would THAT turn out to be?
And to billy - yes, there have been several passes to the backs, just not a ton of them. D-Will has two TD receptions.
Posted by: Scott | Nov 18, 2008 6:38:15 PM
Hey check this out, i now have a whole new respect for ryan khalil. but i bet he's not too happy bout her Halloween costume.
http://deadspin.com/5092073/shocking-new-evidence-in-the-natalie-nelsonusc-song-girl-investigation
*scroll to see where they mention that she is Khalil's wife
Posted by: matt s | Nov 18, 2008 8:41:09 PM
Justin is absolutely correct. The Sucs will take the division by virtue that they have an easier schedule down the stretch. The ATL and Sucs games are an absolute must win just to clinch the division. Not to mention the other games we have to play AND win.
Posted by: Ivan | Nov 18, 2008 10:16:43 PM
The article was great but one thing, in 03 the last six games was against under .500 teams and went 3 down 3 up onto a six game winning streak. These past weeks is who we have gotten through now the below .500 teams. It is reversed now. The below .500 teams games came earlier than in 03. If what is true about Foxy and is game planning then it probably was the case then when they faced below .500 teams. It can be a gamble but it is smart to stay ahead of the game. He does a great job at testing his teams and players. They happen to win 3 out of the six in 03. Better teams now record wise but like he has said 'since day one, record does not matter, they look at the tape. They are all great players'. I think this stretch is going to be long and fun and onroute to home field. Super Bowl Champs Feb.1 Five years exact from our first appearance in the 'Big Game'. Bring it home 53Man'.
Posted by: Panther Fan D | Nov 19, 2008 2:31:07 AM
Williams and Stewart have been nominated for player of the week and rookie of the week. Cast your votes here:
Posted by: Keeping It Real | Nov 19, 2008 4:57:17 AM
http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=rookies
For Stewart
http://www.nfl.com/partner?partnerType=players-air-and-ground
For Williams
Posted by: Keeping It Real | Nov 19, 2008 4:58:58 AM
the cats have been so shakey of late, especially Jake. Watch Turner and Norwood run all over that panther defense this time around.
Posted by: ATL | Nov 19, 2008 9:16:21 AM
ATL, you have to be kidding me. Turner barely ran for 70 yards against the Bronco's horrible run D. Watch what happens this weekend. I am sure the Panthers D watched those errant throws that Ryan made last week. I expect 3 interceptions and 1 forced fumble in the game by Peppers. 31-13, Panthers win
FIREFOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: FIREFOX | Nov 19, 2008 9:35:40 AM
And the Panthers just gave up some decent yards to the rb's from Oakland and Detroit, their run d was stout early on, but not so much recently.
Posted by: ATL | Nov 19, 2008 9:41:47 AM
ATL, that was merely due to not tackling properly. Those running backs had a lot of yards after contact. Once we score early, it will force Ryan to throw the ball. That is when those picks will arrive. Good luck though, should be interesting.
FIREFOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: FIREFOX | Nov 19, 2008 10:15:08 AM
great article on kalils woman.theres definitely something fishy going on, as the article states, but theres something fishy about all women .
i have to agree with justin that the falcon game is a playoff game,a must win.tampa has a easier schedule and theyve beaten us once already.plus,tampa has monte kiffen,jeff garcia and an innovative offensive coach in gruden.we have none of the above.were playing for a wildcard boys and girls.
and for the koolade drinkers who think fox is some kind of mad genius who is holding back on showing his offensive genius till playoff time....hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah. that was a good one. the offense is so inept that they cant run a screen pass. jake is so dumb hes still reading the plays off his wrist,6 years after he became a starter.
Posted by: ray | Nov 19, 2008 10:39:04 AM
Look at me, look at me, I'm an attention whore (doing cartwheels on the beach).
Change your friggin' name a@@ wipe! Not many things get under my skin, but your idiotic name considering our record is borderline on you being pyschotic. If we were 0-10 or 2-8 it would seem relevant. But, you MORON, make no sense with your name other than wanting to get attention, however negative at that. YOU MUST KNOW THAT! YOU LOOK AND SOUND LIKE AN IDIOT. And yet you try to be a contributive member of the forum but still use this ridiculous screen name. You are the biggest douche bag on here! Please understand that and change your name like SYPRIS.
Posted by: FIREFOX = ATTENTION WHORE | Nov 19, 2008 8:15:18 PM
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