Beginning with the NFL Draft, all other teams, their fans and the Carolina Panthers start to think about hoisting the Lombardi Trophy to end their upcoming season. Throughout the offseason every team has the same record and hope abounds for all 32 teams prior to kickoff.
The same feelings now apply but only to a handful of teams. Twenty of the league’s 32 have seen their hopes dashed throughout the year and now only 12 remain. Carolina is one of those after a season of adversity both on and off the field.
Panthers fans have been skeptical all year due to the team’s inconsistencies on offense, in the secondary and outside distractions created through interactions with the media, playing time and an owner investigation and pending sale of the franchise.