Carolina Panthers: Scouting the Bye Week
The Carolina Panthers on Bye Week this week. So what are loyal Panthers fans to do? Logically scout the opposition, of course. There are a number of teams on the Panthers schedule that are active. That would have included the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night. There is a good chance that Andrew Luck returns to face the Panthers, so maybe a Matt Hasselbeck managed win would not have been the most informative thing in the world.
So what should you watch for?
Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals (FOX, 1 PM)
This is a matchup of two teams that are expected to be playoff teams at the end of the day. Marshawn Lynch will not be in this game, so part of the intrigue will be how they play without him. That just makes me wish the Panthers had made a move for Fred Jackson earlier. The second item will be how Cincinnati chooses to attack the Seattle defense that now has Kam Chancellor back. Seattle plays Carolina next week.
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New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles (FOX, 1 PM)
Despite the Panthers having to play the Saints once more this year, this game is really to see the Eagles. Chip Kelly gave the offense a facelift and that has led to a tough year so far. Turns out you need offensive linemen to play professional football. At some point the Eagles will turn things around, and we have to hope it is not in the next two weeks. Look to see how the pass happy Saints look to attack the Eagles defense. My guess is that you will see more run than you may be used to.
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St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers (CBS, 1 PM)
The Rams defense is constructed sort of like the Panthers. They have a more talented defensive line and less talented linebackers, but the concepts are the same. How Aaron Rodgers and the Packers slice up the Rams defense will give the Panthers hints as to what Green Bay will do against them. Panthers see Julius Peppers for perhaps the last time in a month.
Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons (FOX, 1 PM)
As long as Atlanta is keeping pace with the Panthers they cannot be ignored. The Falcons are doing it with balance on offense, and Washington will not necessarily test their defense. However any observation about the Falcons may pay dividends in December.