The likelihood of the Carolina Panthers going 15-1 again was quite low, but essentially nobody expected them to be 1-4 after Week 5.
While he didn't expect it, one person who at least predicted it as a possibility was tight end Greg Olsen.
Olsen is known as one of the better receiving threats at the tight end position in the NFL, in large part because of his reliable hands. Usually, is predictive abilities aren't drawn upon for the role.
In July, Olsen was speaking with Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer about the challenge of avoiding a Super Bowl hangover when he made a stunningly accurate forecast:
If the Panthers don’t guard well against the tendency to rest a little on their NFC championship a year ago? Then by mid-October, in Olsen’s words, the Panthers could “find ourselves 1-4 asking, ‘What’s going on?’”
Of course, Olsen didn't actually think a 1-4 start would happen. But, exactly what he warned against has happened.
More from that interview back in July:
“From a human instinct perspective, you kind of rest on your laurels,” he said. “We’ve identified that from Day One. … We’re going to build that platform. If we are not willing to do those things – and we think we are just going to show up Week 1 and rattle off 14 wins in a row like we did last year just because we’re the same guys in the same uniforms – we’re going to find ourselves in a bad spot. That’s just not the way this league works.”
Follow Us
Subscribe