The Carolina Panthers saw their dream season fall short in the Super Bowl last year, and this team is determined to get back to the big stage and claim the franchise's first championship. We got our first look at Carolina's road to the playoffs when the schedule was released earlier this week, and while they probably won't go 15-1 again in 2016, they're expected to have a successful season. Here's a game-by-game prediction of the Panthers schedule this year:
Week 1 - vs Buffalo Bills
Prediction: LOSS (0-1)
Buffalo's aggressive defense will give Baltimore problems, particularly their physical secondary against the Ravens' lackluster receiving core.
Week 2 - at Cleveland Browns
Prediction: WIN (1-1)
The Browns are a mess and probably won't win more that two games this year. They don't have the talent to compete with Baltimore.
Week 3 - at Jacksonville Jaguars
Prediction: WIN (2-1)
Jacksonville is a promising young team that should compete for a playoff spot this year, but Baltimore's experience and defensive prowess will rattle Blake Bortles and carry the Ravens to a win.
Week 4 - vs Oakland Raiders
Prediction: LOSS (2-2)
The Raiders have an abundance of young talent all over the field and should be THE breakout team in the NFL this year. They'll just have too much firepower for the Ravens.
Week 5 - vs Washington Redskins
Prediction: WIN (3-2)
Kirk Cousins is a completely different quarterback on the road than he is at home. Baltimore's pass rush will get to him and cause multiple turnovers.
Week 6 - at New York Giants
Prediction: WIN (4-2)
Speaking of turnover-prone quarterbacks, no one fits that bill more than Eli Manning. This will be close, but I'm taking Joe Flacco in the fourth quarter over Manning.
Week 7 - at New York Jets
Prediction: LOSS (5-3)
Much like Buffalo, the Jets have the perfect aggressive, physical defense to knock the Ravens' offense out of rhythm.
Week 9 - vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Prediction: WIN (6-3)
Every Ravens-Steelers game is close, and I expect they'll split the season series. Baltimore takes this one at home.
Week 10 - vs Cleveland Browns
Prediction: WIN (7-3)
See Week 2. The Browns aren't beating anyone remotely good this year.
Week 11 - at Dallas Cowboys
Prediction: LOSS (7-4)
As long as Tony Romo and Dez Bryant are healthy, the Cowboys will be Super Bowl contenders. They'll defend their home field in this one.
Week 12 - vs Cincinnati Bengals
Prediction: WIN (8-4)
Cincinnati has been one of the best teams in the league for the past several years, making this a tough matchup. However, like Pittsburgh, these games are too heated and the Ravens are too good to get swept. They'll win this game at home.
Week 13 - vs Miami Dolphins
Prediction: LOSS (8-5)
The Dolphins are a team on the rise and should be much improved under new head coach Adam Gase. This is another toss up, but I see Miami's pass rush giving the Ravens a very hard time.
Week 14 - at New England Patriots
Prediction: LOSS (8-6)
Baltimore isn't scared of playing this Patriots team, yet playing in Foxbrough is also a very, very difficult task.
Week 15 - vs Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: WIN (9-6)
Philadelphia is expected to be rebuilding in 2016 under new head coach Doug Pederson, and the Ravens will use their home-field advantage to get the win.
Week 16 - at Pittsburgh Steelers
Prediction: LOSS (9-6)
Playing the Steelers is Pittsburgh on Christmas Day is a tall task. Plus, there's no way the Ravens sweep the Steelers.
Week 17 - at Cincinnati Bengals
Prediction: LOSS (9-7)
Much like the Steelers, it's going to be nearly impossible to sweep the Bengals - especially with all three teams fighting for playoff positioning.
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