Pounding Panthers Chronicle: Week 12
Week 11 Recap:
It was the “throw Down in Uptown” in Charlotte, North Carolina during week 11. It was the matchup that Panthers fans dreamed of. With one miracle already accomplished, reuniting with former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, and now there was an opportunity to accomplish a second miracle. The Washington Football Team would not be considered a major win on the schedule, but it would be a nice feather to add to the fedora of Panthers fans. The matchup with former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera in week 11 marked the first the former coach had returned as the opposition. The energy for the game could be felt in the stands as Panthers fans had answered the call to service placed by Cam Newton in the lead-up to the game this past Sunday. There were few empty seats that could be found in Bank of America Stadium, with a light mix of WFT fans. There was a noticeable difference in the stands compared to the previous home games that we have seen this season. The crescendo of the energy in the stadium occurred when Cam Newton came charging out of the tunnel. The electricity buzzing through the stands didn’t burn out during the introduction of the team.
The Panthers came out swinging as many expected they would, dishing out body blows of six and eight yards at a time, landing some solid shots of 10+ yards, including landing one square on the chin with a ten yard strike from Newton to DJ Moore. The opening drive exemplified what this game would be, a street fight, and both teams were looking to figuratively punch the other in the mouth.
The Defense came out delivering its version of a 1-2 combo, forcing a three and out by the Washington offense, and in the following outing forcing and recovering a fumble inside their own 20-yardline. Morgan Fox was in on causing the fumble, and Frankie Luvu recovered the loose ball that killed the WFT drive. The momentum appeared to be in the Panthers’ hands but the offense was unable to capitalize, going three and out, and punting the ball back to Washington.
The earlier turnover blanketed the fact that the Panthers’ defense struggled to contain the Washington offense. On the next drive for Ron Rivera’s offense, they were able to navigate their way into the endzone. The Panthers would answer back in the second quarter on a Cam Newton 24-yard touchdown run. It was a reminder to Panthers fans and the NFL of what Cam could do in the black and blue jersey. Cam was not done on the day, adding a second passing touchdown on the day, and currently sets Cam on a ridiculous scoring pace. Through two games Newton has already tallied up five total TD’s, and his usage in the Arizona game was sparing. I don’t think that this pace can be maintained through the rest of the season, but it does signify that Superman appears to be just as explosive as he ever was.
In the confines of Bank of America Stadium, the defense struggled to contain the Washington rushing attack. There were flashes of greatness by the Carolina defense but this was outdone by their own miscues. Even still with the defensive struggles that were faced, at no point did the game feel out of reach for the Panthers. When former Panthers kicker Joey Slye connected on a short field goal to push the late lead to six it would fall on the offense to win the game. Unfortunately on fourth down, Cam was sacked trying to escape the pocket, ending all hopes of a victory on Cam’s return to Bank of America Stadium with a turnover on downs.
Turkey Legs and Footballs
There are many traditions that are demonstrated during the Thanksgiving holiday. One of those traditions has become synonymous with Thanksgiving and that is the playing of football on this day. All across the nation you can find families and friends coming together to enjoy a good meal and take part in some football. For many people their only involvement is holding a half-conscious post on the couch with their pants unbuttoned. A growing concern in this institution known as football on Thanksgiving is why are we forced to watch the Detroit Lions play year after year? They are a franchise that wasted one of the greatest running backs to ever carry a football and possibly the number 1 deep threat of all-time. There are a plethora of reasons that can be given as to why the Lions should not be playing in a primetime slot like Thanksgiving. Often we here statements out of the League Front Office like “on-field product” referring to the quality of play by the team. For the majority of my lifetime the Lions have been in or near the cellar of the league every single year. The term Dumpster Fire seems too kind for the Detroit Lions. They are a franchise that has consistently picked in the top-10 of the draft year after year and done little to nothing. In yet another installment of Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving Day football we were subjected to an awful game. It was clear that kneecaps were not on the menu for the festive pregame meal. At what point will enough be enough? No one expects that every game be entertaining, but there are far more deserving teams than the Detroit Lions
Lunch $$$ Bets
That’s right folks, you’re favorite degenerate is back at it, and hopefully you have been following my advice. Fade me, for the love of God, fade me. If there was ever a week that this sentiment was more prevalent it was week 11. 0-5, yes you read that right, not one single win. So if you have been listening that means you and the LBHT Crew went 5-0 on the week. Trends are a bettor’s friend and I might have found the most profitable trend of the 2021 NFL season, fading Dweezy. For the members of the Crew that are in the Discord chat you got a juicy parlay in Cam Newton’s first home game. A 3-leg same game parlay at +550, for those keeping count at home that’s a 10+ unit day if you were fading and on the parlay. No one can say they know what’s going to happen week in and week out, but I can say fade me. Sun, rain, or snow fade me. The Panthers went as far as signing Cam Newton to make sure I lost the Arizona game. Picked it during that week’s show on a Wednesday and they sign Cam on a Thursday. Conspiracy theories aside it has been a rough season for me in the NFL which indicates that Team Fade is prospering. The goal of Lunch $$$ Bets is to inform and educate anyone that may consider placing a wager on a team Sunday. Those in the Discord chat already know this, Lunch $$$ Bets is not focused solely on the NFL. Currently you can find NBA plays going up almost daily, and if you find yourself in the Discord chat just know that is a “No Fade Zone”. I can’t say the same for the live-stream on Wednesdays. Make Lunch $$$ Bets a tool in your arsenal for taking down the books. Come join up where we are making money while making money.