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2009 Carolina Panthers Football Predictions

Written July 17, 2009 by Nick Scarpa

carolina-panthers-football-2009-predictions The Carolina Panthers seemed to have all the pieces in place to make a run at the Superbowl last season until they got whacked 13-33 by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game. Was it a case of the Panthers having an off-night, or was it a sign of things to come? Carolina QB Jake Delhomme had 6 turnovers in that game but the Panthers organization thought nothing of it apparently, signing Delhomme to a 5-year contract extension. The Panthers return 21 of 22 starters from last season’s 12-4 squad so the 2009 Carolina Panthers should have similar success. You can bet the Panthers +225 to win the NFC South this season.

The Panthers like to pound the ball behind a monster offensive line with their two star running backs, Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers offense averaged 26 points per game with their run-first philosophy last season but Delhomme’s turnovers were killers. Delhomme is an accurate passer with excellent leadership skills, but his penchant for throwing the ball up for grabs makes him only an average NFL QB. Delhomme does benefit from having a bona fide All-Pro in WR Steve Smith. Smith consistently beats double-teams but does not have much help around him.

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The Panthers 4-3 defense will have a new defensive coordinator in Ron Meeks who comes over from Indianapolis. Meeks runs a cover-2 scheme that should mesh well with head coach John Fox’s preferred 4-3 zone. The defense relies on their big men upfront to provide pressure and last season defensive end Julius Peppers answered the call with 14.5 sacks. The Panthers front seven also includes a massive run-stuffer in DT Maake Kemoeatu and a Pro-Bowl LB in Jon Beason. The secondary has some question marks with cornerback Richard Marshall becoming a full-time starter for the first time. Marshall does have quality help opposite of him with ultra-athletic CB Chris Gamble. Safety Chris Harris is an intimidator.

The NFC South is a very-tough division and Carolina will be hard pressed to match their 12 win total from a year ago. The team has skilled players across the board however and will make a return trip to the playoffs. How far they go in the playoffs will have much to do with the play of Jake Delhomme once again. The NFL betting lines for who will win the Super Bowl this year are posted with the Panthers at +2000 to take the title.

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