Panthers need another peak performance
December 23
Charlotte Observer
"All month, the Carolina Panthers have played games that have become increasingly more important, with increasingly more at stake each week.
That's not necessarily the case for Sunday's regular-season finale at New Orleans, which at the very least poses a psychological challenge for the Panthers after their loss to the New York Giants.
The game against New York on Sunday night was for the highest of regular-season stakes. With a win, Carolina could've become the NFC's top seed, gained home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, secured a first-round bye and nailed down the NFC South title.
The Panthers led for most of what was an extraordinarily well-played game by both teams but couldn't withstand a Giants comeback and lost 34-28 in overtime.
It was the third straight game Carolina has played near its emotional and performance peak, following home games against Tampa Bay on "Monday Night Football" and Denver.
Can the Panthers do it a fourth week in a row?
As important as Sunday's game at New Orleans is to Carolina's playoff positioning, it's a step down - or two - from the magnitude of the game against the Giants.
Therein lies the challenge for coach John Fox and his staff - finding a way to get one more big performance out of their players before the single-elimination playoffs begin.
There are only two playoff possibilities remaining for the Panthers. Depending on the outcome of their game at New Orleans and possibly Atlanta's home game against St. Louis, Carolina will either be the second- or fifth-seeded team in the NFC.
If the Panthers are the second seed, that'll mean they won the NFC South, will have a first-round bye, and will host at least one playoff game.
If they're the fifth seed, they won't have a bye and will be a wild-card playoff entry with a first-round game at Arizona."
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