How important is this game?

[hepcat]

Long story short, it's a season make or break game.

Quote

This game will go a long way toward deciding the NFC wild-card race. The Panthers would have a 71 percent chance to make the playoffs with a victory, according to FPI, and a 28 percent chance with a loss. The Seahawks would have a 74 percent chance with a win and a 28 percent chance with a loss.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/viewersguide-week12/week-12-nfl-score-predictions-guide-best-games-fantasy-outlook-more-2018

With a loss, the Panthers will be on a three game losing streak after starting 6-2, including their first at home. Playoff chances plummet, and the future of the entire franchise becomes uncertain. Fans would have every right to be wildly pessimistic, because the sky would truly be falling. Barring a miracle, the season would by all accounts be over. 

With a win, the Panthers are in the drivers seat for a wildcard spot, with a slim chance still there to take the division. Seattle is tough opponent and long-time rival of the Panthers. Beating them would show the Panthers deserve to be in the conversation for playoff contenders. Momentum could build quickly with winnable games against the lowly Bucs and Browns upcoming gearing up for big division matchups against the Saints and Falcons to end the season. 

Which Panthers team shows up on Sunday will determine not only the rest of the season, but quite possibly the future of the entire franchise for years to come. Without a playoff berth, Ron Rivera could easily be fired. And with several aging Panthers stars readying for retirement and free agency, the team could look very different in 2019, for better or worse.

 

[mc52beast]

With a loss there will be no playoffs, plain and simple. If this team can’t use that as motivation then they might as well pack their stuff up now.

[bigdog10]

Yep. It’s the season. We have to have the tiebreaker against Seattle. If you look at Seattle’s remaining schedule you will see why. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Absolute must win. We have three match up nightmares on the schedule with the Falcons and two games against the Saints remaining. Going 1-2 in those games would be doing well. The Saints and Falcons both have absolutely owned us since '15.

[Khyber53]

It's a game that will prove half the fanbase here right. One way or the other.

[beastson]

Losing 3 games in a row is a killer.

[TheSpecialJuan]

36 minutes ago, hepcat said:

Long story short, it's a season make or break game.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/viewersguide-week12/week-12-nfl-score-predictions-guide-best-games-fantasy-outlook-more-2018

With a loss, the Panthers will be on a three game losing streak after starting 6-2, including their first at home. Playoff chances plummet, and the future of the entire franchise becomes uncertain. Fans would have every right to be wildly pessimistic, because the sky would truly be falling. Barring a miracle, the season would by all accounts be over. 

With a win, the Panthers are in the drivers seat for a wildcard spot, with a slim chance still there to take the division. Seattle is tough opponent and long-time rival of the Panthers. Beating them would show the Panthers deserve to be in the conversation for playoff contenders. Momentum could build quickly with winnable games against the lowly Bucs and Browns upcoming gearing up for big division matchups against the Saints and Falcons to end the season. 

Which Panthers team shows up on Sunday will determine not only the rest of the season, but quite possibly the future of the entire franchise for years to come. Without a playoff berth, Ron Rivera could easily be fired. And with several aging Panthers stars readying for retirement and free agency, the team could look very different in 2019, for better or worse.

 

stupid 

[Ace_Aladdin]

29 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

It's a game that will prove half the fanbase here right. One way or the other.

Unlike most huddlers I believe this team will respond and get on a monumental run! 

[Seltzer]

47 minutes ago, bigdog10 said:

Yep. It’s the season. We have to have the tiebreaker against Seattle. If you look at Seattle’s remaining schedule you will see why. 

Exactly. They still have 3 gimmes...  2x 49ers and 1x Cardinals 

[ickmule]

No more than any of the others to me.  No idea why any of y’all want this team to make the playoffs.  Even if they do they will get embarrassed.   

[bigdog10]

29 minutes ago, ickmule said:

No more than any of the others to me.  No idea why any of y’all want this team to make the playoffs.  Even if they do they will get embarrassed.   

I want them to make the playoffs in spite of their coaching. I want to see Cam Newton add to his legacy by getting another playoff appearance. I want to see guys like peppers and Davis suit up for what could be their final time in the playoffs. Most of all, I want to watch an extra panthers game in January because I know it feels like an eternity waiting for September. 

[Hoenheim]

If we lose this game its like the intro post said, our chances of  making the playoffs plummet. 

I wouldn't count on us winning more than 1 out of the final 3 games of the season vs Saints or Falcons. So its absolutely critical we win all the games before we get to that murderers row final stretch of games. I'm predicting 10-6 will be the cutoff for playoffs. 

[Camp Fodder]

44 minutes ago, ickmule said:

No more than any of the others to me.  No idea why any of y’all want this team to make the playoffs.  Even if they do they will get embarrassed.   

Cause it’s more embarrassing to start 6-2 and not make it. 

[Palmetto]

Making the Playoffs becomes a tough job if they lose this game