Losing Nortman killed all of their momentum.

---

After Week 1 in Jacksonville last year, Luke Keuchly spent three weeks in the concussion protocol.

 

We can speculate all day about the impact of missing Cam Newton at Tampa Bay, but that was long before people have been whispering the Buccaneers might get in. Maybe Carolina would have lost anyway.

 

  I forgot about Luke Keuchly being out for 3 games last season.   To their credit,  they won those 3 games.

 

  The MNF game this season was in Charlotte.   The Bucs were playing very shorthanded at RB that night but they were still able to win the game mainly because of Cam Newton being out.    If not for the turnover differential in that game,  it's hard to imagine the Bucs overcoming their horrific kicking game that evening.

---

What does not make sense is they won 18 games with more injuries last year. They started looking bad despite being healthier. What's up with that?

The Panthers have had 25X more injuries this year than last year. They were pretty healthy most of last year. No idea what you're talking about.


They also won 17 games last year not 18

---

Ummm....false

Agree. Cam can run and gun. Or chuck it from the pocket. INCREDIBLE arm. Unfairly good...

---