Panthers on the Prowl for a Super Bowl Win

by Kris_06905 | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

The Carolina Panthers were the #1 seed in the NFC in 2021, but were bounced out of the playoffs in the divisional round by the Philadelphia Eagles.  Christian McCaffrey was suspended for PED in last season's playoffs and his absence was noticeable with then rookie QB Trey Lance having to carry the team.  Something the rookie did quite well when McCaffrey was in the backfield.  Lance threw for 40 TDs and only 16 INTs as a rookie while leading the team to an 11-4-1 record and winning NFC ROTY and Best QB awards.  The weight of the playoffs without Run CMC was just too much and the Panthers were 1 and done.  

The 2022 Panthers weren't even guaranteed a playoff spot until the final week of the season played out but they found themselves in the field of 14 with a 6th seed at 9-6-1.  Lance had a bit of a sophomore slump throwing for a lower completion %, less TDs (34), and more INTs (29), than he did as a rookie.  So far though, the 2022 Panthers have enjoyed the playoffs much more.  

In the Wildcard Round the Panthers got revenge on the Eagles with a 34-19 win that really wasn't as close as the score indicated.  Lance played well, but the real story was Run CMC.  McCaffrey took full advantage of his first shot in the playoffs and ran wild for 199 yards and 3 TDs. 

This week, in the Divisional Round, he picked up right where he left off and added another 189 yards and a TD to lead the Panthers past the 5th seed Packers.  Lance benefitted from the Packers' attempts to stop McCaffrey from winning the game by himself by throwing for a career high 350 yards and 5 TDs.  The offense was clicking on all cyclinders with two 100 yard receivers as well.  

The Panthers have punched their ticket to the NFC Championship Game and anxiously await the winner of the Bears vs 49ers in the other Divisional Round matchup.  Whichever team the Panthers face will be without their starting QB as both the Bears and 49er starters were suspended for PED violations.  The Panthers will almost assuredly be favored in the NFC Title game regardless of the opponent.