After eleven games, the Carolina Panthers have won eleven successive contests and look an absolute shoo-in to finish as the number one seed in the NFC. Quarterback Cam Newton has been sensational throughout the early stages of the campaign and is producing brilliant moments on offense despite losing primary wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a season-ending injury in the summer.
On current form, the Panthers look well placed to challenge for a place in the Super Bowl and will fancy their chances of success in front of their home fans. In fact, Carolina haven’t lost in the regular season for over a year now – an impressive feat.
If the Panthers are to achieve this aim, they will need two things. Firstly, their defense must continue to play extremely well and, secondly, they need lots of luck. As of now, Carolina’s defense is probably the best in the NFL and the likes of Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Josh Norman have been inspirational in their early season success. If these stars continue to make plays on a weekly basis, they will fancy their chances of shutting out the National Football League’s top offenses this season and could lift the Super Bowl trophy this February. At the time of writing, the Panthers are priced at 15/4 in Bet365’s American football betting markets.
Looking at their remaining schedule, there’s no reason why the Panthers cannot go all the way in 2016. Carolina have a relatively straightforward end to the season and could avoid defeat in each and every one of their remaining matches. Their most difficult game is potentially on the road at New York Giants. However, Norman will fancy his chances of shutting out star wideout Odell Beckham Jr.
If the Carolina cornerback can keep Beckham quiet, the Panthers will believe that their strong running game and ability to stop New York Giants on offense will be crucial for their chances of success. Newton has been incredible so far this year and is one of the leading contenders to win the regular season MVP award. If he leads Carolina to a 16-0 regular season record, it will take a brave man to back against ‘Supercam’ winning the award.
The Panthers are currently the top-rated team in the NFL and are the only remaining unbeaten team this season. The New England Patriots lost to the Denver Broncos last weekend in a result that means Carolina stand alone as the leading contender for the Super Bowl. If their playmakers on both sides of the ball continue to shine, they will be there or thereabouts and home field advantage throughout the playoffs will be crucial to their chances.
The Panthers have been incredible at Bank of America Stadium throughout the last few years and their home supporters will be quietly confident of going all the way to February’s showpiece event. Head coach Ron Rivera has built up a strong, formidable outfit and it would take a brave man to back against the Panthers winning the Super Bowl this season. As for an unbeaten season, only time will tell…