This is a playoff game for us

[Mister]

Well known falcons have had the upper hand last couple years , even when we had that amazing 2015 season they were the ones to give us that only loss during the regular season . The falcons hate us and we hate them . Expect the falcons to come out hard with them having 0 wins this season they will try to get their first win. A win this week makes us look good for the playoffs and gives us big momentum a loss can set this team downwards for this season we need this win it’s make and break for us . Let’s eat some deep fried failcon with a side of bojangles and some 4loko on ice for dinner baby let’s get above .500 we need this and we deserve this !!!!!! Let’s get it 

 

and let’s go !!

[panthers55]

Only problem with that logic is that with all the new guys and new coaches the majority of players have no history against Atlanta or likely hard feelings. They want to win to go 3-2 but likely don't have any grudges against Atlanta or the team. 

[BrianS]

Stop it.

Yea, it's a divisional game against a rival.  Don't even start mentioning playoff.    We shouldn't even worry about it.  If we end up 8-8 this season will have already exceeded every expectation.  If for some reason we end up over .500 it's just going to set unrealistic expectations among the fanbase.

Our goal should be continue to play hard and be competitive.

Playoff.  *rolleyes*

If you want to mark a date on your calender for a true measurement, mark down 11/8.  That's when we find out who this team is.

[Daddy_Uncle]

[Seltzer]

This is an important game, and while I hope the team approaches it with a playoff-level mindset, this game is not the end-all, be-all.

Most importantly, from the Panthers perspective, we will be above .500 if we win.  And we will become relevant again on the national NFL stage.

Atlanta is on the ropes with a lot of injuries.  The Panthers need to put the nail in the coffin for this Falcons team.  This is how a young team earns respect.

This game is do-or-die for Dan Quinn.  I honestly believe he gets fired if he loses this game.  Atlanta (at least as a coaching staff) is treating this like a playoff game.

It will hopefully be fun to watch.  This team has already exceeded expectations honestly.  I am proud to be a Panthers fan based on the product we are seeing on the field- that to me is enough for this year.

I don't say that to sound defeatist, but I also think it's misguided to believe this team is going to be able to morph into a Super Bowl contender this season.  That's not to say we shouldn't strive to be one, and I hope that again I am wrong.

To me, most important thing is that the team under Rhule looks to be getting better every week, we look to have had a excellent draft, and we are going to be in good shape going forward with the cap after clearing all the dead money this season.

I could not be happier from a long-term viewpoint.  Rhule is building this team the right way.

The biggest question to me as the season progresses is going to be Teddy.  If we continue to add around him, can he take this team into the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl?

Teddy has been solid, along with a supporting cast and offensive line that has exceeded anyone's expectations without CMC.  Teddy and Joe Brady are a good combination, but is it good enough to compete with the likes of Mahomes and Andy Reid?

Secondarily, I am curious if we can keep Joe Brady here for at least another season or two.  With his meteoric rise and the offensive explosion the league is heading towards, this season may be his one and only in Carolina.  Can Teddy thrive as well without an offensive scheme that is one of the best already in franchise history?

Anyway, those questions are perhaps for another day.  This game is important (not to a playoff level), but certainly the most important game in the young Rhule era and the most important game in well over a year for the Panthers.

Keep Pounding!