It's almost like the Carolina Panthers are on a revenge tour.
Seattle?
Check.
Philadelphia?
Check.
Green Bay?
The Panthers have a shot Sunday at the Packers, who didn’t give the Panthers much of a shot last October.
Playing at Lambeau Field, Green Bay led 21-0 after one quarter and 38-3 after the third. This time, the Packers will be in Charlotte where things aren’t what they were.
“Last year was last year,” Panthers safety Roman Harper said. “We were a completely different team, mentality. This year we’re a more confident group. We’re a better group. This is probably the best Carolina team, talent-wise, I’ve seen since I’ve been in the league."
The 10-year veteran was in his first season with the Panthers when they were blown out at Lambeau last year. Now, he’s one of just four starters remaining from the defense that began that game. Harper, linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis and defensive tackle Star Lotulelei will be surrounded by a better unit on Sunday.
Last October, defensive tackle Kawann Short was still coming off the bench and cornerback Josh Norman was out with a concussion while defensive back Bené Benwikere sat with an ankle injury. His absence was the most glaring as safety-turned-nickel Charles Godfrey was burnt time and again in the slot.
It didn’t go much better for Antoine Cason on the outside. His replacement this year may also struggle with the Packers’ speed, but at least former Bear Charles Tillman has plenty of experience facing arguably the best quarterback in the league.
"I think Aaron Rodgers is good, but I don't think he's unstoppable,” Tillman said.
Rodgers sure wasn’t last week, which may add to the Panthers’ challenges. The Broncos held him to a career-worst 77 yards in a 29-10 loss Sunday night. But Rodgers hasn’t lost back-to-back starts in the same regular season since October 2010.
If the Panthers change that number to 2015, it could be a big step for their Super Bowl hopes. It would give them a two-game lead at the top of the NFC, and because the first tiebreaker for home-field advantage in the playoffs is head-to-head meetings, the Panthers would have an even bigger cushion over the Packers.
"This game is important and it could have implications as we get into January and we'll be aware of it,” coach Ron Rivera said. “But we'll focus on what it means now and hopefully be able to stay in the now. Not get ahead of ourselves, handle the outside noise, handle all the folks wanting to let them know they're doing great."
7-0 is great for a franchise that until two weeks ago claimed 5-0 as its best start. It’s been especially good if you’re a Panthers fan with a thirst for revenge. But it could get even better.
"We're a different team that played Philadelphia, we're a different team that played Seattle,” Rivera said. “We're a different team that's going to play Green Bay."