The Carolina Panthers are coming off of a 2018 campaign in which they won just seven games and missed the playoffs, but their record is a bit misleading.
The Panthers actually got off to a 6-2 start and seemed primed to contend in the NFC before Cam Newton began experiencing shoulder issues, leading to Carolina losing seven of its last eight games.
Newton's problem was so serious that he was actually shut down for the final two games of the season and then underwent arthroscopic surgery in January.
You have to wonder how far the Panthers could have gone had Newton remained healthy, and now, with the quarterback on the mend, there is some hope for Carolina heading into 2019.
Here are four bold predictions for the Panthers this season.
4. Christian McCaffrey Will Make the Pro Bowl
We can debate how “bold” this one really is, but Christian McCaffrey is yet to make a Pro Bowl, even after rushing for 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns while hauling in 107 receptions for 867 yards and six scores this past season.
With Newton having had two procedures on his throwing shoulder since the end of 2016, the Panthers will likely lean on their running game quite a bit this season, and even if Carolina is hoping to reduce McCaffrey's workload, it might not have a choice.
It's not like the Panthers' have a great receiving corps, either, so McCaffrey may have to do a little bit of everything. It would not be surprising if he ends up with around 1,300 rushing yards and over 100 catches again in 2019.
3. DJ Moore Will Register 1,000 Yards
Sure, the Panthers signed Chris Hogan this offseason, but overall, their receiving corps are very thin behind DJ Moore, who is coming off of a very impressive rookie year in which he caught 55 passes for 788 yards and a couple of scores.
The thing is, Moore only received 82 targets this past year, and you have to think that number will increase considerably in 2019 now that Moore has a year of experience under his belt.
Moore should end up having over 100 balls thrown to him this coming season, which should also result in him posting higher catch and yardage totals.
Look for Moore, who is the Panthers' clear No. 1 receiver, to finish with over 70 receptions for over 1,000 yards in 2019.
2. Cam Newton Will Complete 65 Percent of His Passes
Yes, Newton completed 67.9 percent of his passes in 2018, but prior to that, he had completed 60 percent of his passes just twice, and he had logged four straight years beneath 60 percent.
With Newton coming off of his second shoulder surgery, he will likely be a bit more cautious with the football, and if he isn't, head coach Ron Rivera will make sure he is.
That means the Panthers will probably be doing a lot more short and intermediate throws than Newton is accustomed to, which will, in turn, result in a higher completion percentage.
Expect a large chunk of check down throws to McCaffrey, and expect a lot of quick, short routes from the receivers.
1. The Panthers Will Miss the Playoffs
In spite of the fact that there is talent here, it just doesn't seem like Carolina has enough to make the postseason, especially in an NFC South where it seems like the third-best team behind the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
There are just too many question marks surrounding the Panthers heading into 2019, with Newton's shoulder topping the list. Carolina also doesn't really have any big-time offensive weapons outside of McCaffrey and Moore, and defensively, the Panthers are probably still middle-of-the-pack, much like they were this past season when they finished 15th in total defense.
This isn't to say Carolina won't contend for a playoff berth, because it should, but making the postseason will be more difficult than some people are imagining.
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