WEEK 11 THOUGHTS -- BEFORE & AFTER THE GAME

Returning to action this week after what is euphemistically called the "mini bye", the Panthers will face a series of obstacles that will test their mettle. Several of these obstacles are 'internal' to the team, first among them the apparent loss of PJ Walker for the coming game. Walker will not play this week according to Wilkes. He joins the list of Panthers QBs that have been hobbled by a "High Ankle Sprain", although his does not appear to be a 'major' calamitous injury. Preceding him down that particular avenue of pain are Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield, both of whom have lost significant playing time to the same generically described injury. Darnold has not played a snap yet this year after his injury at the end of the pre-season. Mayfield played in the first five weeks before falling prey to the same injury and missing almost all of the last five weeks, which opened the door for Walker. Now, with Walker out, we will get to see Mayfield again with Darnold in reserve as Walker recuperates.... Oh well...????

In addition to the revolving door at QB, more obstacles have raised their head in the Defensive backfield. At Safety, the Panthers are still without Justin Burris, who continues to fight off the effects of a concussion. Burris has missed several weeks and there has been no sign of him on the practice field recently. I keep hoping to hear something positive, but so far... nothing. In addition to Burris, the Panthers are now without the services of CB Donte Jackson, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon and is now scheduled for surgery. He won't be back until next year.

Speaking of obstacles, this week the Panthers face the Baltimore Ravens and their All-Everything QB, Lamar Jackson. Jackson has joined the queue of players (mostly QBs..), who think they are God's gift, and are demanding huge, no... HUGE contract modifications and extensions. Jackson's demands are so stratospheric that the team has broken off talks until after the season. Which, of course, has little or nothing to do with the game this week. The Panthers will play the Ravens on Sunday and Jackson will undoubtedly be their QB. So that makes obvious the "clear and present danger" that Jackson presents. Definitely an obstacle that needs to be surmounted if the Panthers have any hope of playing a decent game, much less winning.....

So, the Panthers--Ravens game opened earlier showing the Panthers as 12.5 point 'dogs'. Which, upon some mental consideration, seems a little understated. This is one of those games at a certain point during the season where ANYTHING could happen. I would not be surprised to see a MUCH closer game..... nor would I be surprised to see the Panthers lose by 20.....