This expansion team found success early and continues to win.
Since the 2004 NFL Season, I have decided to take an up and coming team from each conference under my wing and follow them on their quest toward a playoff berth. The Carolina Panthers were my NFC team for 2005. After winning my respect by their gutsy performance against my New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, I've always had a soft spot for Jake Delhomme and this incredible team. Below you will find some articles that I have written describing my journey with the Carolina Panthers.
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CAROLINA PANTHERS PIT ARCHIVES
The Carolina Panthers Pit 2007 Archive
Ever since their Super Bowl run in 2004, DeShaun Foster and the Carolina Panthers have taken their fans on a veritable roller-coaster. Each year they've had the talent to be a real threat in the NFC, but have only come through with a post-season appearance one time. The other years have ended in disappointment due to either injuries of inconsistency. If there's one thing going in Carolina's favor, it's that last season's failure indicates that it's time for an upward climb on the Panthers' roller-coaster. Will the black cats be able to change their luck with a return to the big game? It's certainly not out of the question in the wide-open NFC.
After injuries had kept the Panthers from reaching their Super Bowl-level potential for two seasons, Steve Smith and the team were finally healthy. Unfortunately, health doesn't automatically get you to the playoffs. Consistency does. That was something Carolina lacked all year. Beating the good teams, losing to the bad teams, losing to the good teams, beating the bad teams - you could never predict what the team would do. It was basically a coin-flip as to whether they'd show up or not. Predictably, this unpredictable team finished a disappointing 8-8 and out of the playoffs.
After injuries sidelined the Carolina Panthers in 2004, Jake Delhomme and his teammates were determined to get back to another Super Bowl. Throughout the year, the Panthers struggled with inconsistency, ultimately making the playoffs by coming out on top in a must-win Week 17 game. They then surged through the playoffs, shutting out the Giants, and taking down the formidable Bears. However, inconsistency once again reared its ugly head as the Carolina Panthers fell to Seattle in the NFC Championship game.
