Look for Panthers-Ravens in the Super Bowl
Jan 6, 2009
The Carolina Panthers will end up in Tampa for the Super Bowl this year and play the Baltimore Ravens. Sound crazy? The funny thing is, after the “beat down” the Ravens put on the Dolphins this weekend, the Panthers seem to be what makes this seem a bit far fetched.
“The Carolina Panthers lost to the New York Giants towards the end of the season,” you say. Folks, brace yourself - the Panthers won’t be playing the Giants in the playoffs!
Let me give you the secret formula to the Panthers Super Bowl run.
Run the Football: The more things change in football the more they stay the same. In December and January, teams that can run the football win. It’s just that simple. I know, you’ve been taught that defense wins championships. That is true to a certain extent as well. But those defenses have taken a beating through a grueling 16-game regular season. They have to be good. Running games that keep those defenses rested on the sidelines have to be great. The Rams don’t win Super Bowl 34 without Marshall Faulk. John Elway couldn’t win any without Terrell Davis.
The Panthers have the most potent rushing attack in the playoffs right now. The Giants have the best offensive line, but the Panthers are a better running attack because of DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart.
Score Early: In the NFL playoffs, teams that score first win 68 percent of the time. Why does this stat tend to always play out? When a football team gets down in a “loser goes home” game, quarterbacks tend to force the ball into throwing lanes. Offensive coordinators change up their play calling. They take fewer chances on plays that looked good in practice and go with plays that worked in games in the past. The problem with that is, defenses have dissected your plays that “worked” in games. Most importantly, defenses can “pin their ears back” if they know you are going to have to pass the football. The Panthers have a defense that is set up to pressure the football off the corners with Julius Peppers and Tyler Brayton. They will be licking their chops if they can make the Cardinals a one dimensional team (which is the reason they’ve looked better these last two games with the re-emergence of Edgerrin James).
The Matchups: The Cardinals have taken up the "No respect" mantra for their playoff run. It's a tad played-out in terms of overused clichés, but it's amazing how much it still motivates players to play, sometimes even above the needed level. During the season, games tend to feel like work, like you’re doing your job. The playoffs are different. Emotion gets involved when you are playing for Mr. Lombardi’s trophy. It feels more like college! The Cardinals needed something to motivate them after their “lackluster” finish to the season. I believe the Panthers will be able to match their intensity and feed off the energy of their crowd – and after all, Carolina has yet to lose this season.
But I didn’t bring up the “No Respect” mantra just for the Cardinals. The Eagles are taking it on as well. This is huge for the Panthers to make a run to the Super Bowl. The Eagles are playing their best football of the season, and Brian Westbrook is healthy. What does that mean for the Giants? Curtains. It was a great story taking down the “Awesome Patriots” last season, but the ride will end Sunday in the Meadowlands (a place the Eagles have already taken down the mighty Giants). Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has written the book on how to attack Eli Manning. Oh, and one more note on the “us against the world” attitude - ask the Giants if it worked for them last year.
What does all this mean for the Panthers?
A home game for the NFC championship. The Eagles have a good defense, but the nod goes to the Carolina Panthers in that one. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will run all over the Eagles!
Mark Thomas played for Smithfield-Selma and N.C. State before cashing checks in the NFL. He is now the co-host of The Insiders from 3 to 7 p.m. on 99.9 FM The Fan.
