The 1972 Miami Dolphins are, of course, the last NFL team to post a perfect season, winning Super Bowl VII to cap a 17-0 campaign. However, the head coach of that team wouldn’t mind seeing this year’s Panthers join the exclusive club.
Carolina, at 8-0, is currently in the midst of a season few outside (or inside for that matter) of North Carolina saw coming. The offense, which leads the NFL with 142.3 rushing yards per game and is fourth in scoring (28.5), is under the watch of offensive coordinator Mike Shula. And, his father, legendary Don Shula, wants the Panthers to keep it going.
Just spoke with Scott from @theobserver – if anyone can match the #perfectseason I would love to see the @Panthers do it #proudofmyson
— Don Shula (@DonShula) November 10, 2015
The Panthers’ remaining schedule includes the Titans, Redskins, Cowboys, Saints, Falcons (twice), Giants, and Buccaneers. Carolina has the best ground game in the league, Cam Newton, and a defense led by Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman. That’s not a bad starting point for the second half of the season.
Every week it seems the Panthers are questioned as to whether or not they can keep the wins coming. The trip to Seattle was supposed to be a loss. So was the Monday night game against the Colts and last weekend’s game against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Neither was and here the Panthers are, undefeated at their midway point.
There may be a few players from that 1972 Dolphins team quietly rooting for Carolina to trip up in one of their remaining games. However, their former head coach isn’t one of them.
