re: Realistic expectations for next year?

Carolina finished 15- 1 with the toughest division schedule preseason.

Nobody thought Washington would be a playoff team.

Every year unexpected happens. Schedule means nothing. During Sean's tenure we have streaked on a lot of good teams and dropped to some bums.

Quit looking at paper to predict a team. 2009 and 2011 sort of just happened without magical offseasons fresh off disappointing seasons.