Carolina Panthers 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

With the NFL Football season just around the corner, we are providing season previews for all 32 teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best NFL Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2009 season preview. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the NFL in our recommened sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2009 NFL Season Previews here.

Carolina Panthers 2008 NFL Record: 12-4 | Carolina Panthers ATS (Against The Spread): 9-6-1

The Carolina Panthers looked primed to make a strong postseason run in 2008. They finished the regular season 12-4, in first place of their division and received a first round bye. However they ran into a hot Arizona Cardinals team that easily dismantled them. Despite their short playoff stint, the 2008 season was still a good one for the team. Quarterback Jake Delhomme stayed healthy for the entire year and the team finished 7 th in the league in scoring. The running tandem was devastating with DeAngelo Williams and rookie back Jonathan Stewart. The two combined for 28 touchdowns and over 2,300 yards on the ground. After missing the first two games of the season, Steve Smith still caught nearly 80 balls for over 1,400 yards.

The defense finished 12 th in the NFL in points allowed, and Julius Peppers enjoyed a great season, finishing with 14.5 sacks. However, the unit was not strong against the run, giving up nearly 120 yards per game to rank 20 th in the league.

CAROLINA PANTHERS 2009 PREVIEW

John Fox, the head coach of the Carolina panthers since 2002, is looking froward to a much improved 2009 Carolina Panthers Season. Finishing the season last year with a 12-4 record, 8-0 at home, the panthers look to be one of the elite NFC teams at the start of the 2009 season. Under John Fox the panthers have an impressive 56-47 record overall with two NFC championship appearances and one trip to the Superbowl, in which the New England Patriots got the best of them. As far as the 2009 Carolina Panthers Season Preview, this year John Fox and the Panthers look to advance past the regular season and back into the playoffs for a chance at a 2009 Superbowl victory. The coaching staff of the Panthers has changed very little in the last five years a good sign for the panthers of 2009. Offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson enters his 3rd year running the offense, and enjoyed the success of a running game that ended 2008, 3rd in rushing yards per game (152.3) and 7th in total points per game (25.9). Defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac enters his 7th season with the Panthers and has room for improvement, as the offense kept the team in most ball games last year. The panthers finished 12th in total points against (20.6) and 18th in total yards against (331.2) so even a bit of improvement has a chance of raising the Panthers to the next level. Assistant head coach/running backs coach Jim Skipper might have one of the easiest jobs in the NFL, as the two headed running game of Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart couldn’t not be stopped last year. A trend coach John Fox plans on exploiting in the 2009 season.

2009 CAROLINA PANTHERS OFFENSE:

Will Jake Delhomme regain the form he once had as one of the premier passers in the game? He was consistent in 2008 but unspectacular, completing less than 60% of his passes and throwing just 15 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. The running game will continue be the strength of the attack. DeAngelo Williams emerged in 2008 as one of the best running backs in the entire NFL and averaged a stellar 5.5 yards per carry as he racked up a 1,500 yard and 18 touchdown season. Jonathon Stewart was also sensational, putting up another 10 TDs and 800 yards with a 4.5 YPC. Steve Smith is still one of the most dangerous playmakers at wide receiver. Muhsin Muhammad is getting older but is a viable second option the passing game and his large body is perfect for picking up hard conversions and making plays in the red zone. If all of these players remain healthy, the Panthers will put a great deal of points on the board in 2009.

2009 CAROLINA PANTHERS DEFENSE:

Julius Peppers once again needs to play at a Pro Bowl – or better – level for the Carolina Panthers. The athletic defensive end also needs to make plays against the run, in addition to generating sacks and quarterback pressures. Linebacker Jon Beason had a great second season and Thomas Davis had a great third season, and both should continue to improve alongside one another. The Panthers will hope that both of their second round draft picks, defensive end Everette Brown and safety Sherrod Martin can play a big role immediately, which would go a long way towards rounding out the unit.

CAROLINA PANTHERS 2009 SEASON PREDICTIONS

We predict that the Carolina Panthers will finish 1st in the NFC South, with a record of 11-5.

CAROLINA PANTHERS BETTING

Super Bowl Odds: +2000

NFC Conference Odds: +900

NFC South Odds: +225

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