10 NFC predictions for Week 1 of 2018 NFL season

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Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner, left, watches running back Christian McCaffrey (22) during training camp practice at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., on Friday, July 27, 2018. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images) /

6. Norv Turner is back in business and will flourish

The end of Norv Turner’s tenure with the Minnesota Vikings in 2016 looked like the end of an accomplished career. The long-time offensive coordinator struggled to mesh with the Vikings’ personnel that was better suited for a quick-hitting West Coast scheme, as he continued to ask quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford to drop deep in the pocket with a terrible offensive line.

The 66-year-old is rigid with his offensive philosophy, and while that’s not ideal from any coach, his system does work well and create points when he downfield playmakers and a quarterback willing to take chances. Carolina’s overhauled offense is a much better fit for Turner’s vertical scheme.

It starts with a fully healthy Cam Newton, and extends to a deep group of capable receivers. The preseason showed we can expect Christian McCaffrey to have a huge season out of the backfield as he’s isolated against linebackers on underneath routes.

Their Week 1 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys is an opportunity to get the upper-hand on a young but athletic defense. Dallas’ secondary is breaking in Byron Jones and Jourdan Lewis (slot) into new positions, and Chidobe Awuzie will start just his seventh game if he’s healthy.

The Panthers are definitely a team to buy this week.