Bodog Beat

It's a make-or-break year for QB Jake Delhomme, coach John Fox and the Carolina Panthers. (AP Images)

The Carolina Panthers probably saved Coach John Fox’s job last with that 12-4 regular-season record and NFC South title, but Fox might be on alert again following that tank job in the home playoff game against the Cardinals. In fact, that 33-13 loss was the worst at home for a No. 2 seed in either conference since 1990. Carolina had been unbeaten at home during the regular season.

QB Jake Delhomme got a new contract this offseason despite imploding in that playoff game with five interceptions and a lost fumble. In fact, the Panthers’ management seemed to consider that game a fluke overall, because just about everyone of substance is back from last year. That includes defensive end Julius Peppers, the franchise’s all-time sacks leader. He didn’t get his long-term deal or a trade out of town but signed a one-year tender for $16.7 million.

So all seems well heading into training camp on this veteran-laden team. And with a backfield of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, who combined for nearly 2,400 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns last year, the Panthers again will rely on the ground game to pound opponents into submission and not ask Delhomme to win games.

Here is the Panthers’ 2009 schedule, and we’ll break it down after:

Sept. 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Dallas Cowboys, 8:30 p.m.

Week 4: Bye

Oct. 11 vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Oct. 25 vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:05 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15 p.m.

Nov. 8 at New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m.

Nov. 15 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.

Nov. 19 vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m.

Nov. 29 at New York Jets, 1 p.m.

Dec. 6 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Dec. 13 at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.

Dec. 20 vs. Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m.

Dec. 27 at New York Giants, 1 p.m.

Jan. 3 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.

Strength of schedule: 2^nd (opponents combined to go 151-104-1, .592, in 2008)

Projected record: 9-7

Bodog over/under total: 8 1/2

Bodog odds to win Super Bowl XLIV: 22/1

The schedule this year ranks among the toughest because the NFC South faces the deep AFC East and NFC East this season. But at least Carolina’s division foes do the same. It’s probably not realistic to expect the Panthers to go 8-0 at home again this year, being as they were the only club unbeaten at home in 2008. In fact, every NFL team but four had two home losses last season.

I can see the Panthers starting the season with a home win over the Eagles, as Carolina has won two season openers in a row. However, losing those next two road games is probable. Atlanta beat Carolina by 17 at home last year, and Dallas should be a Super Bowl contender. So that’s 1-2 entering the bye week.

However, I like Carolina to sweep through October. Yes, the club is just 1-7 against Washington, but the Skins look to be an average team yet again. The Panthers were clobbered in Tampa last year but are 5-1 there under Fox. And Buffalo might put up a decent fight but won’t win in Charlotte. So that’s 4-2.

Those back-to-back road games against strong offensive teams in Arizona and New Orleans look like losses to me despite Carolina winning at the Superdome in last year’s finale. I again like Carolina to hold serve at home in the next two games and win a close game in potential winter weather at the Jets to enter December at 7-4 and in decent shape in the NFC South again.

On Dec. 6, the Panthers will sweep the rebuilding Bucs but then go into a three-game losing streak against Super Bowl contenders New England, Minnesota (the one home loss this year) and the Giants. At 8-7, that season finale against New Orleans again could very well have both division and wild-card ramifications as it did last year. Carolina should hold serve to finish 9-7.

Will 9-7 and maybe a playoff spot be enough for Fox to keep his job? I say no, that this team must win at least one postseason game or Bill Cowher is on the sideline in 2010.

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