We are currently four weeks into the NFL regular season, or 25% of the season is over for most teams. I always go back to one of John Fox’s goals of finishing 3-1 in each 4-game segment when looking at how to break up the season. Twelve teams will not or have no shot at doing that in this first segment. The first segment of the season should be the most important segment for most teams. Coaches always talk about wanting to set the tempo and developing an identity of their football team. Coming out of the gate strong allows you to do these and create a little room for error down the road. Coming out slow provides less room for error as the season progresses and makes each passing week essentially playoff games, in that you have to win your games, or you will be done after the regular season.  Teams starting off 0-4 really need to go 10-2 in the remaining part of the season to fell comfortable at making the playoffs. In case you need help with that math, that is two 3-1 segments and a 4-0 segment, not impossible, but improbable. As with every season, there seems to be a few really good teams, a few really bad, and a huge group in the middle. The group in the middle can win a game one week by two touchdowns and lose the following week by the same margin. 

            So the multi-million dollar question now is where do the Panthers fit in? Record-wise, they fit in with the really bad teams. Realistically, they most likely fall into the big group in the middle. They are not in the same class as the Rams, Chiefs, or Browns, but I do not think they are in the class with the Colts, Vikings, Giants, and Saints. This team SHOULD be 1-3 after their 4^th game Sunday vs. the Redskins. 3-1 in the next two segments of the season are reasonable expectations. This would put the Panthers at 7-5 after 12 games, and in the playoff conversation, which would be the good news. The bad news is that the last four games are at New Enlgand, home vs. Minnesota, at Giants and end the season at home vs. the Saints. Those four teams have a combined record of 15-1 currently.  This is where the Panthers getting off to a strong start and beginning 3-1 instead of 1-3 could have helped the team out in the long-run. Going 2-2 in those last four games would put the Panthers at 9-7 and most likely in need of some help to make the playoffs. Anything worse most likely means the lack of back-to-back winning seasons will continue. Players all week have talked about they view this as the beginning of their season. 10-3 is the goal for this “season” they are discussing. It is possible, but I am not sure how probable.  This “season” begins Sunday versus the Redskins at BOA Stadium. A loss here on Sunday means, well, the Bobcats home opener is right around the corner. 

14-11 for Season (4-1) last week.