Just as the Carolina Panthers did, we got into our winning ways in Week 3. Can we keep it going? Heck, can the Panthers keep it going?
Here are our predictions for Week 4’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
1
Panthers win the coin toss
The Panthers have lost three straight coin tosses to start the season. We’re taking a break from our regularly scheduled smock programming to tell you that this skid stops on Sunday.
2
Panthers score on their first drive
Similarly to the coin toss, the Panthers have come up empty in each of their three opening touches this year. But that too changes!
Quarterback Baker Mayfield leads a solid drive against a struggling Arizona defense to get Carolina the first three points of the game. Kicker Eddy Piñeiro, who’s nailed all seven of his field goal tries, gets his eighth on a 34-yarder.
3
Cardinals don't score on their first possession
Emotions should be running high at Bank of America Stadium to start this one, especially for the Panthers defense. And what better way to honor new Pro Football Hall of Famer Sam Mills in the “Keep Pounding Game” than to come up with a stop to begin the outing?
Cardinals go three-and-out.
4
Panthers defense forces one turnover
Carolina not only halted their nine-game losing streak last week, but they also came up with their first takeaway in six games. In fact, they came away with three—a fumble recovery, which turned into a 44-yard return for a touchdown, and a pair of interceptions.
They’ll get just one in Week 4, though. The Panthers punch out another ball for another fumble recovery.
5
Panthers commit two turnovers
Unfortunately, they’ll still end up losing the turnover battle. The Cardinals get their first and second picks of the season off Mayfield.
6
Baker Mayfield finishes below 225 passing yards
Although he’ll be facing that lowly Cardinals defense—one that’s allowed the second-most points (29.0) and 10th-most yards (383.7) per game—Mayfield has been pretty bad as well. The fifth-year passer has consistently failed to move his offense, as he’s completed only 51.9 percent of his throws and has yet to hit the 250-yard mark.
That continues.
7
Christian McCaffrey gets less than 20 carries
McCaffrey has seen his workload steadily increase—going from 14 touches in Week 1, to 19 in Week 2 and then 27 in Week 3. That, however, has apparently begun to take a toll on the oft-injured running back.
After missing consecutive practices for the first time here in 2022, McCaffrey is down as questionable for the contest. He’ll play, but he’ll be handled a bit more carefully due to his thigh injury.
8
Shaq Thompson records double-digit tackles
With Mills on the mind, it’ll be a big day for a fellow linebacker in Shaq Thompson. Carolina’s defensive leader goes for double-digits in the tackle column.
9
Panthers lose
The Panthers needed quite a few big plays to come out on top last week. So with their offense still sputtering and their defense having yet to string together a convincing run of performances, they’re still not an easy bet.
Arizona stops Carolina’s six-game stranglehold on them.
10
It'll still be a memorable day
Even with the loss, the Panthers organization is set to host one heck of an event for one heck of a man and football player. Sunday will be a day to remember.
