Panthers @ 49ers

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20131110025&home=25&vis=29

 

(AP) -- The Carolina Panthers have picked up their play after a rough start, bringing themselves into the playoff picture.

 

While their win streak has been impressive, it hasn't come against the best competition.

 

The schedule will ramp up Sunday when they visit the San Francisco 49ers.

 

A five-game win streak by the 49ers is the only one among NFC teams currently longer than the Panthers (5-3), who have won four in a row and scored at least 30 points in each victory while limiting opponents to 15 or fewer.

 

Cam Newton's play has illustrated the nature of their season as a whole. He completed 57.5 percent of his passes with six TDs, five interceptions and a 78.4 passer rating in the team's first four games. During the win streak, Newton is completing 72.3 percent with seven TDs, two picks and a 109.8 rating along with three rushing touchdowns.

 

The surge may mean a longer leash for coach Ron Rivera, who entered the year on the hot seat after going 13-19 in his first two seasons.

 

"I think we can be a playoff team because of the things we've done and because of the way we're playing," Rivera said. "If we had played like this, consistent all the way through, who knows? We have a great opportunity and a challenge in front of us. The chances can be limitless. But we have to play that way. Just because we're doing it now doesn't mean it is automatic."

 

Carolina is a game behind New Orleans for the NFC South lead as the franchise seeks its first five-game win streak since a six-game run Oct. 3-Nov. 13, 2005. The Panthers went on to lose in the NFC championship game that year.

 

However, the current streak has come against teams with a combined 8-33 record. After facing the 49ers (6-2), the Panthers will host AFC East-leading New England and still have two meetings with the Saints looming.

 

"I think a lot of people are doubting us and what not," tackle Jordan Gross said. "But we know how good we are and we've just got to go out there every week and prove it."

 

San Francisco is coming off its bye week after building a wave of momentum, winning five in a row by a 174-61 margin after being outscored 56-10 in losses to Seattle and Indianapolis.

 

"Really a dramatic improvement in terms of playing disciplined, sound technique football," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "So, it's a great job by the fellas in that regard. Execution's been good, getting better and you keep seeing that we can, that there's even, you play good football and there's room for improvement."

 

The 49ers' win streak hasn't come against top-flight competition, either, with those opponents posting a 13-28 record.

 

Both quarterbacks figure to be tested, with Newton going up against a San Francisco defense that ranks fourth in opponent passer rating (75.3). Colin Kaepernick has rushed 18 times for 122 yards and three scores in his last two games, but Carolina has given up a total of 43 yards on 21 carries to opposing quarterbacks this year with no TDs.

 

Frank Gore, second in the NFL in rushing since Week 3 with 558 yards, is facing the league's second-best run defense (79.1 ypg).

 

While the 49ers' passing game has floundered - they rank last in yardage - Kaepernick should be helped by Mario Manningham's expected season debut. Manningham, out since suffering a knee injury last December, was second on the team last season with 42 receptions for 449 yards.

 

Fellow receiver Michael Crabtree was cleared to practice Tuesday, but he's likely still a few weeks away from playing after tearing his Achilles in May.

 

It's not clear whether Aldon Smith will play after he rejoined the team this week following a stint at an inpatient treatment center for substance abuse. Smith, arrested in September on suspicion of DUI and for possession of marijuana, has 4 1/2 sacks and 18 tackles in three games.

 

Carolina has won seven of the last nine meetings, including three of four in San Francisco. The teams haven't played since a 23-20 Panthers win Dec. 24, 2010, though Gore totaled 159 yards and a TD on 23 touches.

 

[Thanatos 2,847]

There comes a point in a team's season where the seasons turns, for better or worse. The next two weeks are that turning point for Carolina. A win against SF in SF would be HUGE for confidence and would give the Panthers the push they need to possibly overtake New Orleans for the NFC South. A loss would put them into near-desperation mode going against the Patriots next week.

 

For once, I am going with the Panthers in the big game. I don't want any moral victories, I don't want gaudy stats, I want a W. Nothing less. And I believe we have the talent to go get it.

 

20

16

Edited November 9, 2013 by Thanatos19

[RazorStar 4,025]

I'm waiting for the Panthers to choke this game away so we can say they are who we thought they were.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

20

19

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

49ers declared WR Mario Manningham (knee) active for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Manningham will likely be on a snap count as he makes his season debut following last year's ACL tear.

There are no surprises on the 49ers inactive list: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Quinton Pattton, WR Kassim Osgood, CB Eric Wright, DT Quinton Dial, G Joe Looney and DE Tank Carradine. Aldon Smith is ready to go.

 

 

 

Panthers declared WR Tavarres King inactive for Sunday's Week 10 game at San Francisco.

King hasn't caught a pass since the Panthers claimed him off waivers three weeks ago. The Panthers head into this game very healthy.

The rest of their: WR Marvin McNutt, DB Josh Norman, DB James Dockery, G Chris Scott, TE Brandon Williams and DL Wes Horton.

[Bay 2,003]

Panthers D is beastly. Good luck going forward, Carolina. I want to see you guys take down the Saints.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Time to take the Panthers seriously.

[Attyla the Hawk 197]

Time to take the Panthers seriously.

 

 

Seahawks fans have been taking them seriously all year. That team is good and the fan base in general is one of the classiest in the league. A lot of Panthers fans were really down on that team and I felt compelled to talk them off the ledge some. That team looks like Seattle in the early 2012 season. A very talented team figuring out how to win.

 

That team can make a run in the postseason. I've felt sure of that all year.

 

 

Now excuse me while I'm off to rub every niner's respondent's nose in it that chided me endlessly about our weak win in Carolina.

[Thanatos 2,847]

I'm waiting for the Panthers to choke this game away so we can say they are who we thought they were.

OR NOT.

 

No, but I was holding my breath too. I had about five heart attacks today. When Stewart fumbled the ball and then when Kalil snapped it into the ground, I was like, "here we go again."

 

They held on for a gritty hard fought win.

 

Cam was off a lot of the first half. His stats are awful. 50% completion for <200 yards and an INT. Run game only had one really good play.

 

But what matters is score.

 

10

9

 

Ugly game, close, and managed to hold onto a lead in the 4th. If the Panthers choked that one away, the confidence blow would have been ridiculous. Saints better look out, we're coming for them.

 

Also.

 

WOOHOO!

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

20

19

 

Knew it'd be a 1 point win. Just gave each team 10 more points to make it look prettier.

[funnygunny 521]

what a high scoring game

[Thanatos 2,847]

You guys are next, funny.

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

 

I'm waiting for the Panthers to choke this game away so we can say they are who we thought they were.

OR NOT.

 

No, but I was holding my breath too. I had about five heart attacks today. When Stewart fumbled the ball and then when Kalil snapped it into the ground, I was like, "here we go again."

 

They held on for a gritty hard fought win.

 

Cam was off a lot of the first half. His stats are awful. 50% completion for <200 yards and an INT. Run game only had one really good play.

 

But what matters is score.

 

10

9

 

Ugly game, close, and managed to hold onto a lead in the 4th. If the Panthers choked that one away, the confidence blow would have been ridiculous. Saints better look out, we're coming for them.

 

Also.

 

WOOHOO!

 

 

How do you figure that the Panthers are a danger for the Saints? I don't really feel that way. The Panthers defense is phenomenal this season, I just believe that Drew Brees will make up the difference. I don't really have a set reason as to why I believe the Panthers won't beat the Saints, it's just the way I feel and I don't think they will be able to stop Brees from passing the football.

 

I know it doesn't make much sense when you look at the teams on paper and what they've done against who they've each done it (especially because the Panthers seem that they can matchup against anyone). The Saints defense struggles against the run, but they are great against the pass and if they can just hold Cam Newton in the pocket and keep him from making plays with his legs I think they have the advantage.

 

If the Panthers march into the Superdome week 14 and beat the Saints, I will be a complete believer in that team.

[Thanatos 2,847]

Naw, people will come up with another reason why they aren't for real then.

 

Going into New Orleans and beating the Saints is really really hard to do, but we don't need to. All we need to do is split, and the Panthers are more than capable of taking out Nawlins in Carolina.

 

That's not to say we can't take out New Orleans in New Orleans, we definitely could, merely that practically any team in the NFL would find that a very tough game to pull out.

 

People forget the Panthers offense was going nuts the past four weeks until it ran into San Fran. And against San Fran we had so many weird things. The blocked punt that ended up being Niners ball, the fumble that was called an incomplete pass by Vernon Davis, and I counted five dropped passes, nearly all on key plays in the game. Nawlins' defense is improved, but they ain't on the Niners level. The Saints weak spot is their run defense. The Jets ran all over them with Ivory. The Boys ran all over them with Murray. The Panthers have a better run game than either, and if the coaches do it right, Brees wont touch the ball enough times because the Panthers will just grind out the clock. Our defense won't shut them down completely like we did to San Fran, but we are more than capable of holding them to 20 or so points and the offense can easily put up 30+. As long as we can contain Graham, there really isn't much there that is scary. They just look good because of Brees. And Brees could be under pressure all day.

 

By coming for them, I simply mean that we can take the division from them. All that it requires is a loss to Seattle in Seattle.

 

Don't get me wrong. I still find it hard to believe the Panthers are a legit title threat without LaFell deciding to take off all of a sudden. Its very hard to win without at least two great options in the receiving game. If someone takes Smitty out of the game, we'd be hard pressed to do much if they also had a good enough offense to score 24-30. I don't see us getting through Seattle in Seattle, for example. But Nawlins? Nawlins we can beat. Not saying we will, but we most certainly can. That game had better be flexed.

 

That said, our receivers are doing enough. There are two teams in the NFL who have four people with 350+ receiving yards. One of those team you might expect. The Denver Broncos. The other team? The Carolina Panthers.

 

If we take down New England on MNF you won't be a believer in the team? That's the next matchup. All you have to do is get into the playoffs, and then anything can happen. And if we get the 5th seed that might be even better than the 3rd seed, given that the 5th seed gets to play the "winner" of the NFC LEast.

Edited November 12, 2013 by Thanatos19

[Bay 2,003]

what a high scoring game

 

lolhighscoringgames

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Love that defense, man. Especially for fantasy purposes.