Carolina Panthers can keep pounding to a perfect NFL season
Published:
Paul Chambers | December 12, 2015
A perfect regular season of 16 wins in the NFL is a rare feat, with the New England Patriots the last of four franchises to achieve it in 2007. Carolina Panthers have plenty of reasons to feel that they can become the fifth team in American football history to pull it off, though.
Nobody should deny Panthers on prowl
The Panthers are excelling on both sides of the ball. They have the third-best scoring offense in the NFl, and the ninth-best scoring defense. Such balanced dominance both in and out of possession is uncommon.
At 3/1 with Coral to complete the regular season unbeaten, Carolina’s case is bolstered by the lacklustre strength of their remaining fixtures. The perfect Panthers play Atlanta Falcons (twice), New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers; those teams have a combined winning record for the season so far of just 47 per cent.
There are no significant challenges left for Carolina face – these are all games they would expect to win. Punters can feel confident that they will do just that, and complete a perfect regular season in 2015.
Perfect Panthers to inflict playoff pain
What of the Panthers’ prospects of going unbeaten and then on to victory in Super Bowl 50? This is rated as an awesome 8/1 chance, and attractive proposition for more adventurous punters, as the price reflects the uncertainty of who Carolina could clash with en route to Santa Clara.
Recording a flawless 16-0 would allow the Panthers to hold crucial home-field advantage for both of their first two playoff games. Since 1990, the home team has won in around 60 per cent of all NFL games.
Carolina have proven they can beat the calibre of opposition likely to come up against them in the playoffs – having already recorded wins over NFC powerhouses Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks earlier this season.
California dreaming because Cam can
Moreover, the Panthers have the star-power to prevail wherever and whoever they play. On defense, Josh Norman is an emerging superstar who has shut down opposing attackers consistently this season.
And on offense, star quarterback Cam Newton – a leading candidate to win the NFL’s award for Most Valuable Player – is in the form of his life.
Led by Norman and Newton, Carolina have the talent and the potential to complete a perfect season by winning Super Bowl 50, which they are presently 7/2 favourites to do.
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