Carolina Panthers Vs Atlanta Falcons

The Panthers went two full months, from October 6 to December 6, without a win. Today, the 6-8-1 “Angry Kitties” clash with the 6-9 Falcons in the Georgia Dome at 4:25 PM ET.  The game is airing on CBS.

This is a “must win” for Carolina or they can kiss the post-season goodbye.

Running back DeAngelo Williams is slated to start today after being benched with a broken bone in his right hand which he suffered in the Cats’ loss to the Vikings on November 30th.

For Carolina to win today, they’ve got to stop Atlanta’s Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones who can be a nightmare to defend.  If Carolina fails, it’s going to be a long day.

The oddsmakers put the Panthers as 4-point underdogs.  They are fighting for the last remaining playoff spot in the NFC.  I hope Coach Rivera has the good sense to put in backup quarterback Derek Anderson if Newton isn’t getting the job done.

And because no football post would be complete without some pom-poms, please enjoy these Top Cats in their Santa outfits.

Carolina Panthers Vs Atlanta Falcons

The NFC South is pitiful.  With the Saints leading that division at 4-5, today’s game between the 3-6-1 Panthers and the 3-6 Falcons is sure to be a crapfest.

The game kicks off at home for the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium at 1:00 PM ET on Fox.

Some dink over at The Sheet News wrote, “The Panthers have really disappointed me with the way they are handling QB Cam Newton. He is clearly hurt badly and they are running him out there with no help. To top it off they are dogging him to the press. His own organization is dogging him…saying he is NOT hurt and giving him ZERO help. If I were Cam Newton I would pull a Dwight Howard and walk away. They are now trying to drive his value down so they don’t have to pay him.”

Apparently this guy forgot everything about Cam Newton that is unsavory and the money daddy Cecil Newton took.  I have said many times that Newton has talent but not enough talent that he deserves to be put on a pedestal.

So the question is Newton banged up or overrated?  He’s both.  He had surgery on his ankle in the off-season and then injured his ribs early in the regular season.  He has turned fraidy cat since getting hurt.  That has made him inaccurate and painfully slow to make decisions.

I will say again today, as I have numerous times before, take Newton out of the game and give back-up QB Derek Anderson a chance to lead the team.  Newton needs to be shown he is not the center of the Panthers’ fan base world.  After the season is over, release him from his contract and draft someone else who wants to play.

As for today, I’m not wasting my time watching what will doubtless be a total crapfest.  I’ll watch the Eagles-Packers game pulling for the Packers and then root like hell for the Colts tonight against the Patriots. 

And because no football post would be complete without pom-poms, check out Top Cat Whitney.

Congratulations Falcons.#ATLvsCAR pic.twitter.com/P434wiwE4A
— PoliticalClownParade (@Carry_That_Load) November 16, 2014

Falcons Will Run “Afowl” Of The Panthers

The 4-11 Atlanta Falcons go up against the 11-4 Carolina Panthers today at 1:00 PM in the Georgia Dome.  Atlanta has nothing to gain in today’s game.  Their season is shot.  They’ll be playing for pride’s sake.

The Panthers meanwhile, will try to grab the NFC South crown and a shot at the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.  A Panthers victory will garner a first-round bye giving receiver Steve Smith time to heal his sprained PCL after last Sunday’s game.

If the Falcons win—perish the thought—the Saints can claim the NFC South crown by beating Tampa Bay.

Blogger buddies Proof, Odie and Stogie are rooting for San Francisco to defeat the Cardinals in their afternoon game.  A win combined with St. Louis whipping the Seahawks would secure a third straight NFC West title for the Niners.

Since the oddsmakers are taking the Panthers over the Falcons and honestly, who wouldn’t, it’s unlikely that Carolina will lose to the Falcons so the Niners can forget about home field advantage for the playoffs.