| Rookie LB Luke Kuechly has been everything the Panthers expected when they drafted him in the first round. (US Presswire) |
The Panthers opened the season talking Super Bowl, but injuries and inconsistent play have made it unlikely that they’ll even make the playoffs. Here are our midseason awards along with a projection of where we think the Panthers will end up at the end of the season:
Offensive MVP -- QB Cam Newton: He hasn’t been the game-changer he was as a rookie last season, but more than any other Panther, he determines whether the team wins or loses. In addition to throwing for 1,902 yards, he’s the team’s leading rusher. He needs to cut down on turnovers and be more of a motivator on the sidelines.
Defensive MVP -- DE Charles Johnson: In the team’s two best road performances -- a last-second loss in Atlanta and Sunday’s win at Washington -- Johnson carried the team on his back. He leads the Panthers with 7.5 sacks and three fumbles.
Rookie MVP -- LB Luke Kuechly: The Panthers’ first-round draft pick has been as good as advertised. He’s averaging just under 10 tackles a game to lead the team. He stepped into the MLB role when Jon Beason suffered a knee injury, and the defense has seen no drop in production.
Top assistant coach -- John Matsko: The Panthers' offensive line has had a rookie, an undrafted free agent in his second year, and lost its Pro Bowl center in mid-October. The line has struggled at times, but Matsko has managed to shuffle positions and get the most out of his players to keep it from being a glaring weakness.
Biggest disappointment – RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart: It’s not entirely their fault -- if they get stuffed on a run early in the game, they often don’t get another chance. But a position that was supposed to be a strength for the Panthers has been a non-factor in most games. The two backs have combined for 482 yards and three touchdowns this season, which would put them in 22nd place on the NFL rushing list.
Biggest strength – The deep-passing game. Steve Smith is still as big a big-play threat as ever, and Brandon LaFell has developed into a strong threat on the other side of the field. When LaFell missed the Washington game with a concussion, Armanti Edwards had an 82-yard catch. Louis Murphy has also added a 51-yard catch.
Biggest weakness -- Pass defense. The Panthers have been torched by good quarterbacks this season and made mediocre ones -- like Josh Freeman -- look good. Rookie Josh Norman is starting at one corner position and has worn a bull's eye all year. Safety Haruki Nakamura has been criticized for playing too deep and still getting beaten on long balls.
Projected final record -- 6-10
Playoffs? No. The Panthers will be better in the second half but end up where they did last season.
One fact you may not know but should know: The first eight teams on the Panthers' schedule have a combined 39-28 record. The last eight have combined to go 31-33.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Panthers from blogger Shawn Krest, follow @CBSPanthers.
Want to know who CBSSports.com says the MVP is? Check out our Midseason Awards.