A Look Towards Home Field Advantage

[bigdog10]

Yeah, this thread is premature.  I realize we haven't clinched the division or a playoff spot for that matter, but that will most likely all be taken care of before the Panthers hit the field in New Orleans as I expect Tampa to beat Atlanta.  I also realize that this is all irrelevant when the Panthers run the table, but at least we will know how early we can clinch HFA.

In all likelihood, the Panthers will finish as the 1 or 2 seed in the NFC.  There is an outside chance they could fall to the three seed, but it would involve Minnesota and Arizona winning all their games (with the exception of the one they play against each other next week) and the Panthers losing all their remaining games.  The Panthers cannot win the 4 seed due to how piss poor the NFC East is.  The only way the panthers don't win the division is if they lose out and Atlanta wins out.  There is also a scenario where the Panthers miss the playoffs, but it is pretty far fetched.

As it stands right now, there are two competitors to Carolina for HFA (Minnesota and Arizona).  I do not consider Green Bay a threat as one more Panther win will eliminate Green Bay from contention due to the fact that the worse case scenario for Panthers would be 12 wins, while best case for GB would be 12 wins (panthers own head to head tiebreaker).  

Here is a look at Arizona's final five games: at St. Louis, vs Minnesota, at Philly, vs Green Bay, and vs Seattle

Here is a look at Minnesota's final five games:  vs Seattle, at Arizona, vs Chicago, vs NYG, and at Green Bay

Here is a look at Carolina's final five games:  at New Orleans, vs Atlanta, at NYG, at Atlanta, vs Tampa

The primary tiebreaker here will be conference record (since head to head won't come into play since Carolina doesn't play Arizona or Minnesota this year).  Minnesota is currently (5-2) in the conference.  Arizona is (6-1) in the conference and Carolina is (7-0).  

I think Carolina is going to have to get to 14 wins to get Home Field Advantage.  Minnesota likely has 2 to 3 losses on their schedule.  Arizona is extremely tough at home.  if they pull out a win this week at St. Louis, I could see them running the table.  This weekend will go a long way in determining HFA.  If Carolina beats New Orleans and both Arizona and Minnesota lose this week, Carolina will be able to clinch a first round bye the following week when they play Atlanta.

 

[the butch]

Still a lot to fight for!

[TheRumGone]

So pretty much win these next two games and we good?

[bigdog10]

1 minute ago, TheRumGone said:

So pretty much win these next two games and we good?

Unfortunately, no.  It really depends on what Arizona does the next two weeks.  If Arizona wins out, Carolina is going to have to go 15-1 to have HFA.

If the Panthers and Cardinals both finish at 14-2, Arizona would be the 1 seed based on Conf. record.  The race for HFA may very well go down to the final week of the season between these two.

Panthers can't afford to drop a game to a bad New Orleans team.  They need to just keep busting up teams and make Arizona smaller and smaller in their rear view mirror.

[*FreeFua*]

I still think GB wins their division. The Minnesota/Seattle game this weekend will be a good indicator of how Minnesota might finish the season off and possibly determine a tie breaker between them and Seattle. I think Minnesota ends up losing this weekend and to GB later. In the end I think the playoffs (spots 3-6) shape up like this...

3- Green Bay

4- New York Giants

5- Seattle

6- Minnesota

If we finish 1st we most likely see Seattle since I think GB takes care of Minnesota at home. I think we end up having to go through both Seattle and GB to get to the SB. I think GB beats Zona in AZ in the divisional setting up a GB vs Carolina/Seattle conference championship. 

 

[Randolph Panther]

16 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

I still think GB wins their division. The Minnesota/Seattle game this weekend will be a good indicator of how Minnesota might finish the season off and possibly determine a tie breaker between them and Seattle. I think Minnesota ends up losing this weekend and to GB later. In the end I think the playoffs (spots 3-6) shape up like this...

3- Green Bay

4- New York Giants

5- Seattle

6- Minnesota

If we finish 1st we most likely see Seattle since I think GB takes care of Minnesota at home. I think we end up having to go through both Seattle and GB to get to the SB. I think GB beats Zona in AZ in the divisional setting up a GB vs Carolina/Seattle conference championship. 

 

I have Green Bay vs Carolina also for the NFC CG.  

[Davidson Deac II]

Arizona has a far tougher remaining schedule than we do, although their toughest games are at home.  Will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out, but as of now, we have the advantage due to being two games ahead and a weaker schedule. 

[Silent Majority]

Im going to be LIVID if we have to travel for the playoffs.

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

Arizona still has Green Bay, Minnesota, Seattle, and St. Louis this week

[Davidson Deac II]

Also, I think Washington will take the NFC east, simply because the Giants have a very tough schedule remaining.  Jets and us at home and on the road in Minnesota. 

[goodoleboy]

11 minutes ago, Silent Majority said:

Im going to be LIVID if we have to travel for the playoffs.

I won't. I'll just get in my car and drive to Charlotte.

[Adb6368]

19 minutes ago, Davidson Deac II said:

Arizona has a far tougher remaining schedule than we do, although their toughest games are at home.  Will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out, but as of now, we have the advantage due to being two games ahead and a weaker schedule. 

Agreed. Also, their first loss was to the Rams at home in week 1. I know these are different teams not but now Arizona is going on the road to a divisional opponent that already beat them. I can't imagine them dropping at least one more if not two based on their remaining schedule. 

Also, I really do see this as a HUGE factor in our chances of getting to the Super Bowl. I would be more afraid of having to go to Arizona for a playoff game than going to Seattle. If we force them to come to Carolina it could make all the difference in the world.

[raleigh-panther]

Panthers can't overlook division opponents 

saints have been abysmal but they also know the Panthers very very well  they came an interception away from winning in Charlotte  expect the same game plan

this a chance to recover some revenge for last year and a little pride for the Saints this year. That's all they have going.for them 

[LUUUUUKE]

We're without a doubt in the drivers seat BUT if you look at Arizona's last 4 opponents, they will directly shape the NFC playoff seeding.

take a look and you'll see why. 3 out of the 4 are playoff teams.

we just need to take care of our business. Nobody behind us matters. 

#KeepPounding