Osi Umenyiora: Carolina Panthers will not reach Super Bowl this year… last season was a fluke

TWO-TIME Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora doesn’t think the Carolina Panthers have what it takes to reach the NFL‘s showpiece match again.

Cam Newton and Co kick off the 2016 season on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos, who smashed them out of sight when the teams met in Super Bowl 50 in February.

Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will kick off the 2016 season against the Denver Broncos on Thursday[/caption]

And former New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Umenyiora thinks the Panthers will struggle to hit the same heights this year.

Speaking at preview event for EA SPORTS Madden NFL 17, Umenyiora said: “Carolina I don’t think are going to be that good this year – last year I think was kind of a fluke.

“Last year I watched them and called it early that they weren’t that good.

“People looked at me like I was crazy but they played Denver and got punched in the mouth.”

Umenyiora thinks superstar quarterback Newton still has to improve despite a stunning 2015 season that saw him land the Most Valuable Player award.

“The quarterback (Newton) is inconsistent,” Umenyiora said.

“Obviously he’s a physical specimen and a good football player, but there are some challenges that once you go up against a tremendous defence, you’re not going to be able to get away with the things he was getting away with.

Former New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Osi Umenyiora thinks the Panthers will struggle to reach the Super Bowl again[/caption]

The Panthers were battered by the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl 50 in California in February[/caption]

“He’s so physically gifted that he has been able to get away with so many things because of his physical talent.

“But once teams take away your ability to run the football and make you sit in the pocket and pass, then everything becomes different.

“That’s what Denver was able to do and teams are going to do that again this year”

The 2016 season will feature three more regular-season matches in London in October, and Umenyiora thinks that number needs to grow for interest levels to rise in the UK.

London born Umenyiora would like to see more regular-season games in the UK[/caption]

He said: “I think we need more regular-season games.

“Three is not enough to get the people fully behind football.

“When they do come, all the games are sold out and its an incredible atmosphere and, the more games we get, the more acclimated people will get to the game.

“The more we educate people, the more we allow them to see exactly what the game is all about, the more interest will come.”

Osi Umenyiora was speaking at a preview event for EA SPORTS Madden NFL 17 which is available now. To find out more information, and to discover the latest features in the game, head to www.easports.com/madden-nfl