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Carolina Panthers: Playing Kelly and Seattle Again

By John Woodcock

Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) shake hands after a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) shake hands after a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Seahawks 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Carolina Panthers will play the Seattle Seahawks yet again this season and get a second straight year of playing the Chip Kelly offense.

The Carolina Panthers will not be facing Marshawn Lynch this season. Lynch says he’s retired and even told 60 Minutes that he was retired.

That does not mean that the Panthers don’t have to play two teams that they had mini-rivalries with over the past handful of seasons- the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks.

You may shake your head at mention of the 49ers. That has been a few years, but the Jim Harbaugh 49ers were a thorn in the side of the Panthers’ playoff chances. That problem disappeared when Harbaugh did. The tough 49ers defense disintegrated due to retirements and the team’s play suffered.

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On the offensive side of the ball, Colin Kaepernick clearly missed Harbaugh’s support and by the end of the year he was benched and injured. He wanted to be on the trade block in the off season despite the 49ers bringing Coach Chip Kelly, who uses mobile quarterbacks in his schemes.

It is still unclear if Kaepernick will be back or even be the starter by the time the season starts. If not, the 49ers will be in the hands of the immortal Blaine Gabbert. He will get to hand the ball to Carlos Hyde and throw it to Torrey Smith, but in the style of Kelly’s choosing.

That is perhaps the big question. How well will the 49ers translate to the Kelly system. That’s not just a quick fire no huddle offense, but it is also a physical conditioning program. The good news for Kelly is that the team is not winning right now so they better buy in.

The strength of the defense is the linebackers, notably NaVorro Bowman and Aaron Brooks. They are the remains of the brilliant 49er defenses of yore. In front of them Glenn Dorsey returns and big things are expected from DeForest Buckner.

A defense whose strength is very much still with it is Seattle’s. It is still a defense first team. It did lose some parts to free agency but kept the group mostly intact. The secondary still has Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, and Earl Thomas patrolling and hitting. Michael Bennett still anchors the pass rush while Bobby Wagner is an effective middle linebacker.

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The biggest worry for the Panthers is that the Seahawks are going to be riled good. They are convinced they let the Panthers have a cheap one in the regular season last year. They are also upset that the Panthers broke open the first have of the NFC Divisional Playoff game last year. With the ‘12th Man’ in full force, it will be hard for the Panthers to get the trifecta.

That does not even mention the Seattle offense. Russell Wilson tried to will them back into the game last year and fell short. Jimmy Graham has had a whole year to get used to his role. No Lynch? Enter Thomas Rawls, who had some big running games last year before getting injured.

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In other words, the Panthers still need to play a flawless game to beat Seattle. No turnovers or stupid stuff. In return they need to make Seattle do stupid stuff. The Panthers should be ready to go though since this has turned into a NFC mini-rivalry.

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