Carolina at New Orleans

ohara · Post #1 » by **ohara** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 3:40 am

OK, this is for all the marbles in our Division. We win, and we get the #2 seed, a bye week and a home game. Same if Atlanta loses, no matter our game outcome. But if we lose and Atlanta beats the lowly St. Louis Rams, then Atlanta gets the #2 seed and we get a Wild Card.

Fox has his job cut out for him. It had to be a major letdown for the Panthers to lose the Giant game when it looked so promising in the 4th qtr. They have to get their spirits up and get ready for a war in New Orleans. They must be ready and mentally prepared, or we lose. I trust Fox to get them ready, and hope my faith is rewarded Sunday.

Post #2 » by **Rooster** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:33 am

The Giants game was horrifying. I expect the Panthers to come out and kick ass. They're better than 3-5 on the road, and better than 0-3 on the road in their own division.

Sunshine Boy · Post #3 » by **Sunshine Boy** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:29 pm

I don't believe we will lose to Saints and we even have the ability to beat Gians actually.It's the wind that really helped Giants.

ohara · Post #4 » by **ohara** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:38 pm

Up at the half 23 - 10. It looked liked 23 - 3, and we picked off Brees, but the call was reversed as the ball did hit the ground. Then Colston caught a TD. Williams is running all over the Saints, 15 carries for 143 yards. I think he will break one for over 30 for a TD and match the record of Jim Brown. That and a victory would be sweet. We get the #2 seed, a bye and then a Home game. But we have to close out the Saints now. They are a dangerous team and can put points on the board. We just have to keep running the ball and putting up points ourselves and we will win. No careless errors.

ohara · Post #5 » by **ohara** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:48 pm

Unbelievable. We were up 30 -10 late in the 3rd, and now it's 30 - 24 with 5:30 left. Our ball, but we better move the ball and score. If we are up by 6, Brees will beat us with a TD. Gotta score again and put this away!

ohara · Post #6 » by **ohara** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:54 pm

3 and out. And NO has the ball deep in our territory with 3 and 1/2 minutes to go. Unreal.

ohara · Post #7 » by **ohara** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:57 pm

NO leads 31 - 30 with just over 3 minutes to go. This would be the most amazing choke job by a Panthers team. if we lose 2 in a row and wind up with a Wild Card, we will lose on the road. Our confidence will be shattered. They have to come back and win this game now.

ohara · Post #8 » by **ohara** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:00 pm

2 minute warning. We have the ball in Saints territory thanks to a long catch by Smith. And in Atl, the Rams had a 27 - 24 lead, but the Falcons just got a long TD run to take a 31 - 27 lead with 3 minutes left. If that holds, we have to win or we are a Wild Card. I'm getting sick again, like last weeks game in NY. How can we have blown a 30 - 10 lead?

ohara · Post #9 » by **ohara** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:07 pm

YES!!!! 7 seconds left, a 37 yard FG becomes 42 after a motion penalty. Kasey is good! 1 second left and we lead by 2. Brees needs to pass for 16 yards to pass Marino, but the kickoff should take up the second. Too bad!

ohara · Post #10 » by **ohara** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:26 pm

OK, secured the #2 seed, bye and Home game. But Fox MUST get onto the Defense and Defensive coaching staff. giving up 21 points in the 4th qtr is not going to win us a Playoff game. Have to be better than that guys if you want to advance in the Playoffs. Not sure how this team's confidence is right now following this game. Will be up to the Coaching staff to make them forget their mistakes and focus on the good.

Post #11 » by **Rooster** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 5:06 am

What a choke job after 23-3, but still got the W. This is what I'm talking about when I say the Panthers are mentally tough. Crazy to think that after the Panthers/Bucs showdown, it was almost the Falcons winning the division.

Where I have to disagree with you is your statement that we would've bowed out in the first round had we lost. Arizona is getting torched. The Falcons could seriously drop 50 on them, and I believe we could've too.

If Minny beats Philly, we play Minny in the second round. Otherwise, it's Atlanta. I think either team is toast in Carolina.

ohara · Post #12 » by **ohara** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:19 am

Fortunately we will never know if I was right or wrong since the Panthers won the game. But my thought was that they would have been so devastated at losing to the Giants after having a late lead and also the Saints after having a late lead that their confidence would have been blown away. But since they won, that is something we will never know.

Right now, we can only play Minn., Atlanta or Arizona as the Eagles are the lowest seed so they would play the Giants. Honestly, that works to our advantage. Right now Philly is hot and if they beat Minn. they will give the Giants everything they can handle. Not wanting to look too far ahead, but I feel good about hosting the Cardinals, Minn. and also the Falcons ( to a lesser extent). If Philly knocked off the Giants, then Carolina hosts the NFC Championship and we have a strong Home Field advantage.

This is going to be an exciting Playoffs and I feel good for the Panther's chances.