Go figure.
The Carolina Panthers, who visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field tonight, have won half their six decisions this season and have a points for and against stat of minus seven points. One might assume that the Panthers have played a lot of close games with a point spread ratio of just over one per game average for the season.
One would be wrong.
The Panthers have been on both sides of blowouts. They opened the season, at home against the Chicago Bears, and were scorched for 59 points in a 22-point losing margin. The next Sunday, they were in Atlanta and hammered the Falcons by 31 points, 34-3. Last week, against division rival Tampa Bay, they served up a second blowout loss for their home fans … the Buccaneers got their second win of the season with a 43-13 romp over the Panthers.
So, who are the Panthers?
Anything you want them to be. Tonight, they bring their weakness into the Packers home stadium, an inability to stop opponents rushing games. Thing is that there is a question whether the Packers can take advantage of the Panthers liability against the rush given they have gained the fewest yards in the league on the ground this season. The Packers average only 60 yards per contest running the ball … gaining the fewest yards in the entire league through seven weeks.