Panthers get rest, wait on next foe
January 3
Charlotte Observer
"After three days of what coach John Fox called "zippy work" in practice, the Carolina Panthers are taking the weekend off to rest and await the identity of their opponent for next Saturday's home playoff game.
The Panthers (12-4) have a first-round bye and will play Arizona, Atlanta or Minnesota, depending on the outcome of this weekend's games.
"We'll have good familiarity there," Fox said, referring to the fact the Panthers have played all three teams this season and have a 2-2 record against the trio.
"When we get into the game plan, they'll be as familiar with us as we are with them."
Most, if not all, of the Panthers' players and coaches plan to watch the Falcons-Cardinals game today and the Minnesota-Philadelphia game on Sunday.
"It's kind of like an easy way to study film, to watch the games," said linebacker Jon Beason.
Receiver Muhsin Muhammad said he plans to "scout out some opponents."
"I've got some things in my mind that I'd like to see, but we'll just have to watch and see what happens," Muhammad said.
Because the New York Giants have the No.1 seed in the NFC and the Panthers have the second seed, the Giants will play the highest-seeded team.
If Philadelphia (No.6) beats the Vikings (No.3), the Giants will play the Eagles next week.
But if Minnesota wins, the Vikings will face Carolina and the Giants will play the Falcons-Cardinals winner.
Beason said he thinks the road teams will win all four playoff games in the NFC and AFC this weekend, which would send Philadelphia to New York and Atlanta to Carolina."
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