Cat Scratch Reader
With a win over the Atlanta Falcons, back above .500, and fresh off a franchise-record setting performance by quarterback Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers are nearing their season high in fan confidence once again. 84% of fans are confident in the direction of their favorite franchise in Week 12.
This is the fourth week that this survey has returned in the 80s and the ninth week over the 50% mark. For all that this number trends as a “did the Panthers win or lose” metric, we can say that most fans have mostly been optimistic about this team this season despite the ups and downs inherent in a 6-5 record.
What’s more, most people are chalking up the pending primetime contest against the San Francisco 49ers as a loss. Yet fans are still riding high after sweeping the Falcons with a pair of impressive performances. The reality is that the Panthers are still going to be considered playoff contenders for a couple of weeks, regardless of the result from Monday night.
The NFC South leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a two-game losing skid and are now only 6-4. That puts them technically a half game ahead of the Panthers, but without the break afforded by Carolina’s clutch Week 14 bye week.
Such prognostication requires a modicum of faith in “Atlanta Bryce” showing up in other cities and against other opponents, but that’s the joy of the Panthers beating the Atlanta Falcons. It gives us room to dream a little again.
