Opinions: Carolina Panthers, Opportunity Time, By Coby DuBose, 12/17/05

Opportunity time is here for Jake Delhomme and the 9-4 Panthers. With Tampa Bay's loss at New England on Saturday, the Panthers stand alone atop the NFC South division with Sunday standing as an opportunity to take a one game lead over the Falcons and Buccaneers. After playing poorly a week ago in a matchup with Tampa Bay, the Panthers are faced with many questions. Can they win a big game? Is Jake Delhomme the quarterback that can lead them to the promised land? How will they respond without running back Stephen Davis. This season has been one of intrigue for the team, who has shown flashes of the brilliance that led them to the 2004 Super Bowl, which suffering from lapses that have reminded some of the George Seifert years. Already this season, the Panthers have exercised old deamons by beating the Patriots and finally stopping Michael Vick. After falling to Miami in week three, they ran off seven straight wins in route to an 8-2 record. Sunday, Delhomme and the Cats will have a chance to overcome yet another obstacle of their past. Standing in their way of a 10-4 record and the division lead are the New Orleans Saints, who boast four wins, a new quarterback, and their first appearance in the state of Louisiana. When the Panthers take the field in Baton Rouge on Sunday, they will be playing for a whole lot more than the division lead, however. They will be playing for respect.

The Carolina Panthers spent the 2003 season turning heads and changing opinions. They made big plays and knocked off NFL powers in route to the franchise's first Superbowl. Since then, it seems that people have lost respect for the team. A 7-9 2004 campaign was influenced greatly by injuries to key players, including receiver Steve Smith. This season, the Panthers set out to regain some of the respect that they sought so hard to earn three seasons ago. Steve Smith is back and has shown the league and media that he can stay healthy for an entire year. He is putting up MVP type numbers, quickly cementing his place among the NFL's elite skilled players. Beyond Smith, some of the Panthers still have something to prove.

Jake Delhomme is a quarterback with much to prove. Sure, he makes some big plays, but his inconsistency over the past four weeks has left many scratching their heads and wondering if he is the answer. Delhomme has, however, shown the ability to make big plays in the clutch and in the playoffs and the Panthers will need that ability down the stretch in order to make a run at another Superbowl.

The Carolina Panthers' defense is another unit that is in search of respect. Over the past three seasons, players such as Mike Rucker, Julius Peppers, and Will WItherspoon have established themselves as dominant NFL defenders, but the defense is still doubted by many. The secondary has been strengthened this season, and defensive tackle Brentson Buckner is having a career season, but the unit must still prove to doubters that it can make big plays in big games and give the Panthers a chance to win this Sunday, and in the two weeks following.

The Carolina Panthers are still a team with a lot to prove. Delhomme and the boys will get their chance in the coming weeks and in the playoffs to prove their worth to doubters around the league and in the media. If John Fox and the team is to take its play to the next level, then they must shore up some holes and prove that they can consistenly play hard nosed football.