Last Updated on July 19, 2010 7:00 am by Anthony Rome
Panthers Season Odds
The Carolina Panthers hope that Matt Moore will lead them to the promise land in his first full season as a starter, but do they have enough pieces in place around him to make a Super Bowl run?
The Panthers were quiet in free agency this year, instead relying on the draft to add new pieces on both sides of the ball. They were elated when Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen fell to them in the second round and took the opportunity to strengthen their passing game with the additions of wide receivers Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards (a former quarterback for Appalachian State) in the third round. They also bolstered their defensive with the addition of linebacker Eric Norwood.
It’s unclear as of this writing who will be the starter at quarterback, although Moore seems to have the leg up on the rookie Clausen. Assuming Moore doesn’t turn in a brutal performance in training camp and in preseason, he should keep Clausen at bay for at least this season.
Carolina suffered a huge loss to its defense when defensive end Julius Peppers signed a free agent deal with the Bears. They also parted ways with veteran quarterback Jake Delhomme, but with the way he has played over the last two years, that may have been addition by subtraction.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com, the Panthers currently are 35/1 to win the 2011 Super Bowl and 16/1 to win the NFC this year. They’re also +550 on the moneyline to win the NFC South and have an over/under win total of 7.5 games.
If history is any indication, then the Panthers should make a run at the postseason this year. They’ve been the model for inconsistency under John Fox and usually follow up a down year with a trip to the playoffs the following season. But everything hinges on Moore, who has yet to play a full season in the NFL. He’ll have the support of a solid offensive line and an outstanding running game thanks to DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart (who should be 100% healthy again), although the Panthers need receiver Steve Smith (broken arm) to bounce back in time for the regular season.
Defensively, they’ll have to overcome the loss of Peppers and young linebacker Thomas Davis, who is lost for the season after suffering a knee injury earlier this offseason. The defense was a strength last year – will it be again this year or will all the changes this offseason hinder the team’s success?
2011 Super Bowl Odds: Carolina Panthers 35/1
Odds to Win NFC: Carolina Panthers 16/1
Odds to Win NFC South: Carolina Panthers +550
2010 NFL Season Win Totals: Carolina Panthers O/U 7.5
Posted: 7/19/10 7:00AM ET