Keith Brooks and Carmichael Dave Show - October 13th, 2014
Watch CBS News
The Carolina Panthers cut the face of the franchise, Steve Smith, and let the only other three wide receivers on the roster that caught a pass last season leave as free agents. Tight end Greg Olsen is the only proven receiver returning from last season's squad. Olsen should be Cam Newton's favorite target this season.
The Carolina Panthers really weren't even expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but they surpassed all expectations and then some. Unfortunately, a team they got the better of during the regular season got the better of them in the playoffs.
My hands may be white from all the chalk I pick, you know there will be one supreme surprise this week. But where? Since we went 3-1 last week - losing with the wretched Bengals, like everyone else - let's try our hand at the most heavenly weekend of a most horrible winter.
The Carolina Panthers were thrilled to get the first-round bye in the NFL playoffs because it meant one less game between them and the Super Bowl. They were also very grateful for it because it allowed a number of players to fully heal up.
The only two notable names that could miss this Sunday's game between the 49ers and Panthers are Steve Smith and Carlos Rogers. While it's unlikely that Smith will sit, it would not be a surprise to see Rogers not dressed. Regardless of what happens, both teams will be fine, and shouldn't have to make any major adjustments.
With the 49ers looking red-hot and the Panthers well-rested, this game figures to be another close one. Vegas oddsmakers concur, assigning this game the tightest line of the weekend of San Francisco by 1.5 points.
When Panthers Coach Ron Rivera said that he felt the team under the most pressure this week will be San Francisco he was dead wrong. Not only is his team the one that HAS to win this game, if he really believes that the Panthers are playing with house money he is setting his team up for failure.
The Carolina Panthers have not been to the playoffs since 2008. The upcoming game against the San Francisco 49ers will mark just the fifth time in franchise history that the Panthers have been to the playoffs, and that means the team is severely lacking in playoff experience.
