Is Baker Mayfield the missing piece for the Carolina Panthers to become a playoff team?
After months of speculation and drama, the Cleveland Browns traded Mayfield to the Panthers in exchange for a conditional fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That pick could become a fourth-rounder if Mayfield plays 70 percent of the snaps this season.
To his credit, the former Oklahoma standout has led the Browns to the playoffs once.
That year, they defeated their division rival Pittsburgh Steelers on the road during their Wild Card encounter.
Therefore, Mayfield does know how to play in tense moments like the NFL postseason.
Could that be the reason FOXBet is elevating the Panthers into a playoff contender?
Do you buy Baker Mayfield's newest team being a playoff contender? If so, the odds are enticing. 🤔
odds via @FOXBet // @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/wD8EQpteGc
— FOX Bet Live (@FOXBetLive) July 6, 2022
FOX Bet Live asks, “Do you buy Baker Mayfield’s newest team being a playoff contender? If so, the odds are enticing.”
The +500 odds mean that the Panthers have a good shot at a Wild Card spot.
But if they are to play beyond the regular season, they will have to go through a difficult gauntlet of opponents.
Not An Easy Road For The Panthers In 2022
In their division alone, there are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints, while their games with the Atlanta Falcons could be toss-ups.
Then they have to compete against NFC West teams, three of which made last season’s playoffs (Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams).
The Panthers will also play against the AFC North teams: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Either the Panthers will struggle against these teams or find a way to win all of these games.
After all, they have D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. at wide receiver.
A healthy Christian McCaffrey can also be a handful for opposing teams.
On defense, Brian Burns will lead their pass rush while Jaycee Horn anchors their secondary.
Barring any injuries, the Panthers could sneak in as the sixth or seventh seed in the NFC.
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