Carolina Cat Chronicles is a dedicated Panthers fan site. I have decided however, to extend the reach of our website just enough to get Panthers fans something else to think about as the off season trudges on. I intend to look at a few of our 2016 opponents and determine whether or not those teams will be a “contender” or a “pretender.”

he first team I looked at is my pick for this year’s “surprise” team. This team is talented enough that I could see them going to the NFC Championship game. The team was a “laces out” field goal away from a playoff win against perennial Super Bowl participant, Seattle Seahawks. That’s right, the Minnesota Vikings are my dark horse pick for the 2016 season. Don’t get me wrong, I have not switched allegiances. I am still confident on a return trip to the Super Bowl for the Panthers, this time, we will win.

Minnesota last season had won five games in a row, and eight out of their last ten games. The defense was ranked first against the pass and fourth against the run. That defense combined with the fact that the Vikings are moving into a dome next season make me believe this team will be a contender in the upcoming NFL season. With the top-ranked overall defense, I expect this team to win their division and make a strong statement by sweeping the Green Bay Packers.

In what will be a good home schedule for the Panthers in 2016, I intend to visit Bank of America in late September and enjoy this potential NFC Championship regular season match up. With an aging but healthy Adrian Peterson and a future Pro Bowl quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, I think this offense has enough to make a deep postseason run. What do you think about Minnesota, contender or pretender?

The next team I will look at will be the Kansas City Chiefs. My write up on the Chiefs will be on our site, carolinacatchronicles,.com, next Monday.