Four Quarters: A Look at the Carolina Panthers' 2009 Schedule, Pt. 3

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

2008 Record: 9-7
2008 Offensive Rank: 16th (16th in passing, 9th in rushing)
2008 Defensive Rank: 16th (29th in Passing, 7th against the run)

The New York Jets went for broke in 2008, putting their season in the hands of Brett Favre. Unfortunately for them, they peaked in the third quarter of the season with a convincing win in Tennessee, then went 1-4 to close out their season at 9-7.

That finish probably nailed the coffin shut on Eric Mangini's tenure, as he was fired the day after the season ended. His replacement is one of the game's best defensive minds, former Raven defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

They also replaced Favre by moving up in the first round to select Mark Sanchez in the draft. Sanchez ran a pro-style offense at USC, but the NFL is a much quicker game and success in college is no guarantee in the NFL.

Still, he has the tools, and should develop into a quality starter in time. But in New York, he may not have the tools to win this year.

Laverneous Coles left the team in free agency, leaving Jericho Cotchery as the first receiver. Cotchery is good, but he's a possession guy at best, and won't perform well against the other teams' top cornerback.

The Jets have a pass-catching tight end in Dustin Keller, but that's about it. Outside of Cotchery and Keller, they have a group of players who combined for 75 catches last year, but none of them really asserted themselves as candidates for the number two job.

The frontrunner is probably former 7th round pick Chansi Stuckey, who played his college ball at Clemson. Former quarterback Brad Smith may also win the job, or it could be a free agent. That much uncertainty doesn't bode well for Sanchez.

At least there's some real talent at running back. Thomas Jones was the AFC's leading rusher, and he's spelled by home-run threat Leon Washington. Both of them benefit from a very solid run-blocking offensive line.

But Jones is 31 and old running backs wear down as the season goes on.  If the Jets are going to win, it will be on the back of their defense.

That probably suits Ryan just fine, as he's followed that model in Baltimore for years.

Up front the Jets have pro bowler Kris Jenkins at the nose tackle; and Shaun Ellis and former Raven Marques Douglas will line up at the ends.

At linebacker Ryan brought another Raven with him in Bart Scott, and he will team with David Harris on the inside to form a solid core. With those two manning the middle behind Jenkins, the Jets will be difficult to run on in 2009.

On the outside, what the Jets really need is for someone to light a fire under 2008 first round pick Vernon Gholston. He has the physical tools to be a star in Ryan's defense, but if he disappears again then Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas will man the edges.

The secondary will boast yet another ex-Raven in strong safety Jim Leonhard (do you detect a theme here?). He'll team with budding star Kerry Rhodes in the middle, while the cornerback positions will be manned by pro bowler Darrel Revis, and former pro bowler Lito Sheppard.

Expect the Jets' defense to look a lot like the Ravens', and to be improved on last year's unit. Points will be hard to come by in New York this year, as the Jets won't score a lot and neither will their opponents.

Carolina's defense should be more than good enough to confound a rookie quarterback. Given that Williams and Stewart are hard to shut down, look at this game as a good candidate for the Panthers to steal one on the road.

Carolina and New York are even in the series at 2-2

Week Thirteen, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2008 Record: 9-7
2008 Offensive Rank: 14th (11th in Passing, 15th in Rushing)
2008 Defensive Rank: ninth (fourth in Passing, 19th against the run)

This is the second meeting in 2009 between the Buccaneers and the Panthers, and given the likely state of both teams it's the best candidate for a win in the quarter.

Assuming the Bucs manage the upset in week six, and that's a big assumption, then this game is going to be a hell of a payback time.

If they don't, this game is still in Charlotte, the Panthers will be playing for playoff positioning, and the Bucs will be playing for pride, at best.

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