Possibly the biggest regular season game we've ever played.

[frash.exe]

Not since week 15 of the 1996 season has there been such a regular season game with such high stakes as this one. This win is critical for Carolina to get to that next level of play, become a real top tier team, and I hope they realize how important a win here is without getting stage fright like they've been known to do.

Garcia is the key to everything. He keeps their defense off the field, he extends drives, he extends plays, he eludes the pass rush. They've only lost one game with Garcia as the starter. Okay, the guy has mobility, but he's not invincible. It's ridiculous how this defense will fall for the same move time and time again in a game and it's disheartening. He'll break your spirit like that. This defense has had so much difficulty with QB mobility it's ridiculous. QBs just step up in the pocket and whiff our linemen like they did 4 years ago. Maybe a four man rush isn't doing the trick, if our linemen are too slow we've got to create some LB pressure, or maybe a corner blitz. This is part of the frustration people have with Trgovac, he doesn't seem to learn from what we've failed at and tweak the defensive strategy as such. It's almost like they're afraid to touch anything because the whole thing will crumble like a house of cards. The focus is imperative, YOU NEED TO STOP GARCIA. Find a way. Just as important to stop is their running game, and we need to stuff the run. Let's start tackling guys that have just come off knee surgery and guys that are ten years older than us and not bounce off of them like a rubber ball. Lets start playing defense here.

On offense, Delhomme needs to stop throwing bad passes, because they will pick them off, this isn't the Lions defense we're playing, these guys can track a pass and cover their zone and they're good at it. These passes need zip and accuracy. And lets see some passes to running backs, mix it up a bit, and take the pressure off the receivers to make all the plays in the passing game, and mix it up so the Bucs D doesn't know what you're calling just because they've been following the ever-predictable pattern that we've called plays.

On top of that don't make stupid mistakes you'd make when you play teams like the Raiders because TB will actually make you pay for it. Don't give up special teams touchdowns and big plays, rather make those big plays and return those special teams TDs yourselves. You have home field advantage here. Don't piss it away.

[solorca]

In 2005, we had to beat Atlanta in the season finale to make the playoffs. That was the biggest.

This game, while important, wouldn't single handidly keep us out of the playoffs, or even the #1 seed in the NFC (although it would make it extemely difficult to do so).

[Mr. Scot]

I think it is.

With that said, if we win this game, it'll be replaced as "the most important regular season game ever" in two weeks when we play the Giants.

[Squirrel]

Nope like I posted in another thread. We can lose this game and still make the playoffs. So in all reality it isnt that big. Do I want us to win yes but the seaosn is not over if we lose.

[Jangler]

This is the biggest game to this point. Only to be replaced by next weeks game. Because Denver beat both TB and Atlanta. We beat Denver we are on an inside track to #1. Then the Giants becomes the biggest game. This will be the biggest month of regular season games evah!

[AKPantherFan]

because its not "do or die" maybe not-

but because of whats at stake- Hell yeah

[catz]

Are you kiddin??????? THIS game IS huge - win it and you now have a chance at either a 1 or 2 spot. Forget the giants game in 2 weeks - focus on tonite! We *must* win tonite for everyone to say (tomorrow) that yes this was the biggest regular season game for the Panthers - we are now in 1st in our div and in the driver's seat for home field advantage!

[solorca]

because its not "do or die" maybe not-

but because of whats at stake- Hell yeah

Nothing is really at stake. We can lose this game and still have the same opportunities as if we win.

[catz]

same possibilities??? dude I'll take SOLE possession of 1st place AND possible bye week w/ a 1 or 2 spot in the playoffs agaisnt a 5 seed playoff ANY DAY!

[Mr. Scot]

same possibilities??? dude I'll take SOLE possession of 1st place AND possible bye week w/ a 1 or 2 spot in the playoffs agaisnt a 5 seed playoff ANY DAY!

Valid, but I can see where Solorca is coming from also. You're ultimately either good enough to win the Super Bowl or you're not. The road you take to get there is inconsequential.

That said, I'd prefer the #1 seed and home field advantage throughout, not just for the team but for the fans.

And bottom line, whether we think it or not, I absolutely want the players thinking of this as their biggest game ever.

(until next week)

[Squirrel]

We could lose tonight and win the rest of the seaosn and the Bucs lose the rest of the season. We would win the South and have a bye week.

[pnthrs]

We could lose tonight and win the rest of the seaosn and the Bucs lose the rest of the season. We would win the South and have a bye week.

And the market could correct itself by 45% overnight, and Wachovia will find hidden assets and shake off the buyout and be better than before, and Obama will end all wars and bring peace on earth. COME ON

We controll our destiny to a first round bye with THIS GAME going forward - at home! IT is a huge homegame against our #1 enemy at this time.

Squeaking into a wildcard at the last second in a weak NFC in the last game of the season is huge - just not as huge as MNF at home with the current implications.

[catz]

We could lose tonight and win the rest of the seaosn and the Bucs lose the rest of the season. We would win the South and have a bye week.

OK - go look at the bucs schedule and tell me they will lose 3!

[Squirrel]

This is the NFL any team can beat another on any given day!

*goes to look*