Carolina Panthers 2018-19 - NFL Season Preview & Future Odds Predictions

The Carolina Panthers will have a franchise player on each side of the ball this season with Cam Newton at quarterback and Luke Keuchly at middle linebacker. The Panthers should contend again this season in the NFC South. Last season the Panthers finished 11-5 and reached the postseason for the fourth time in the last five seasons. However, the Panthers have not won the NFC South in three seasons. The Panthers need to focus on catching the New Orleans Saints and then eventually pass them as the Saints beat the Panthers three times last season. By getting, younger and faster on both sides of the ball they hope to accomplish that. The offense needs to become more dynamic, finishing 19th overall in yardage for 2017. Norv Turner has been hired as the new offensive coordinator and the Panthers have brought in new players at the skills positions, but it starts and ends with signal caller Cam Newton. Torrey Smith at wide receiver came via a trade, while D.J. Moore was the team’s first draft pick. Jarius Wright will be the new slot receiver while Greg Olsen will return at tight end. Running back Jonathan Steward was released which will give all-purpose back Christian McCaffrey more touches. C.J. Anderson was signed and will be a complement to McCaffrey. The offensive line lost Andrew Norwell a Pro Bowl guard to Jacksonville and Tyler Larsen will likely move into Norwell’s spot while Matt Kalil returns at left tackle and older brother Ryan will be the starter at center. Daryl Williams anchors the right tackle spot.

The front seven for Carolina’s defense is considered one of the best in the NFL and large sums of money have been invested in it. It revolves around an extraordinary pass rush and superb speed in its linebackers to cover for the mistakes made by the secondary. Eric Washington is the team’s new defensive coordinator but the old system remains intact. Nearly everyone on the front seven returns except for Thomas Davis the outside linebacker who is suspended the first four games. Shaq Thompson and David Mayo will combine to fill in for Davis and see action in special situations when he returns. Kuechly is likely the NFL’s best middle linebacker but has had problems battling concussions for three straight seasons. Once again eight defensive linemen will be rotated in the front four of the defense and that helped them to finish third in sacks in the NFL in 2017. Mario Addison and Julius Peppers are the best pass rushers of the eight. The secondary is the team’s biggest question mark as Mike Adams the starting safety is 37 and top corner James Bradberry is not a big play maker.