I’m going with 8-8 or thereabouts, with the Panthers not making the playoffs. This team just has too many holes, even in a weak NFC South. Cam Newton is a good (above average) but not great quarterback but he doesn’t have enough tools around him. The offensive line is simply suspect. The wide receiver corps features a bunch of guys that are perfectly reasonable #3 receivers but really just aren’t #1 or #2 options on a good team.
On defense, the linebackers are solid but that only gets you so far. Can the defensive line holdup or will injuries, nagging and otherwise, reduce its effectiveness. And the D-line needs to be good, and generate pressure, because aside from Josh Norman the secondary is adequate at best.
The Panthers’ special teams have been special for all the wrong reasons in recent years despite the team have having a decent enough kicker and punter. Nor sure they become a net plus this year.
