Sportswriters love to prove how spot on their recent predictions might be, but immediate afterglow says ‘Yes Panthers, you can sip a little on moral victory,’ ‘cuz finale with Rams set up a great weekend of NFL games. The Drake Maye legend continues, but in Charlotte- and I arrived in ’95, just like Panthers- I was astonished at the *consistent* VERY loud, start to end, raucously demonstrative wave of home crowd cheering at BOA Stadium.
All is forgiven #MrTeppers$. Pretty much, and definitely on with the upgrades$. What a gut-check! and ALL credit due to Stafford and an *amazing* catch by Ram TE Parkinson, who high-pointed the catch and tip-toed into end zone.
One of customers I discussed game with had an awww, too bad! for Panthers, I said au contraire, dynamic as hell moment for franchise rebooted. About Bryce Young’s fifth year option, GM Dan Morgan’s got this. 1/12/26 Sunday I wore classic Tommy Bahama blue shirt with flowers and Hugo Boss blue suit, couldn’t get away with Panther jersey. You know, public eye.
A TEAM loss, a Franchise Turning Point sounds legit
With the totality of good performances- and national TV audience watching the early game- that Panthers produced was cathartic for most, a blessing for many, but its was also a litmus test of alllll the Collective We kind of believed was possible. Well, at least after 5-12 last year with three stalwart performances that hinted at change, plus an absolute flag-replanting year by Ejiro Eviro’s Derrick Brown-led defense as best practices was all season, reliable Goodness. Shout out to Tre’von Moehrig, free agent $$ well-spent.
The Grail-standard was always taking NFC South from Tampa Bay, a significant, factual, upgrade to last seven years in Charlotte. Relative to how closely I nailed my predictions, https://cdtalententerprises.com/2026/01/06/panthers-back-into-playoffs-still-counts-1st-2026-check-with-comma-trump-us-war-ops-in-venezuela-should-rate-higher/ LOL And while I missed betting, nominally because of working until 5, I was glued to game from time I got back, beers and snacks aplenty. Biiiig Attitude change from ‘I’ll watch early game till half and get a ride in.’
The difference in second season of Head Coach Dave Canales and Bryce Young, was a confident 21/40, 264 yards/ TD afternoon, plus a 16 yd. run/TD himself was valid proof of arrival. Offensive line was again profound, giving up just two sacks. Young FROZE a Ram defender before rolling into end zone amid three more, he is not afraid of contact. Leadership? Satisfied with Panthers efforts? Absolutely, so many producers (Tommy Tremble, 3/22!), Bryce’s scramble TD and T-Mc and Coker production, where Bryce *stuck* it on them, everyone should take a bow.
What team- besides Rams Stafford with Adams-Nacua (24/42, 295 yds., 3 TD/1 int) that I warned about in blog- wouldn’t want to throw to those two? Jaylen Coker may never shake the ‘free agent find’ tag, but he’s a bona-fide NFL receiver now- nine catches for 134 yards, TD, and a beaut of a 52 yarder, full time by end of season, he’s given notice as a regular target. T-Mc was a ‘Really?’ #8 pick by Morgan who tore it up admirably all year (70 catches, 1014 yards, 7 TDs), is almost certain to be Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Yes, that casts shade on hard-working XL (Legette), but lets say its a discussion for another day. Very much like how Rico Dowdle says getting fewer carries at end of year might have some influence regarding his free agent location next season. Tough sledding, when his contract provided $1M bonus for over 1,350 yards from scrimmage, but thanks for a very good year in any case. Definitely something Morgan-Tilis part of football operations will be working on.
Even the (two) uncool punt flubs by Etienne didn’t specifically hurt Panthers in game, with Stafford’s 4th down miss-fire in resulting Rams series a defensive turning point in game. Gotta admit, I can only imagine, as did announcer Greg Olsen, what 17-yr. vet QB Stafford might have said to Coach McVey about his choice of pass vs. run for first down. I was super-surprised at Bears coming off the floor to beat Packers.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/stats/_/name/car/carolina-panthers There is NO sin in congratulating the players and organization for a profoundly appreciated season. Wow! does it raise some expectations. One often hesitates to question matters of Belief, here in the Buckle on the Bible Belt. The ROAR of crowd at 34-31 game, it came through my 50-inch screen as Truth. Just sayin.’
No tearing down any goalposts like the college kids either.