The Role of Spoiler

[bigdog10]

The panthers have a real good shot at ruining some seasons over the last four weeks.

1) Atlanta needs a win Sunday in the worst way. They are right smack in the middle of a muddy mess when it comes to the wild card. They are in a fight with Detroit, Chicago, and the Giants for those two wild card spots. If the panthers can add to thier misery by giving another loss, we may just spin them right out of the playoffs. A loss to the panthers Sunday invites a couple other teams into the Wild Card talks with the likes of Seattle and Arizona, sitting at 5-7.

2) Houston is currently the number one seed in the AFC, however the titans seem to be coming along (2 games back). Houston goes to Cincy (a losable game in my opinion) before the panthers come to town. Say we go in there and pull off the upset. The texans then get the colts, followed up with a home game against the Titans in week 17. If Cincy and us knock off the Texans, and Tenn takes care of biz against Jac and Indy, week 17 is for the AFC South title.

3) Tampa Game, nothing to see here. Their season is already spoiled. Although, we could ratchet up the heat on Raheem Morris' seat.

4) New Orleans will be playing for something in week 17, i'm convinced of that. New Orleans will likely wrap up the division next week, however they will not have the luxury of wrapping up a first round bye, until at least week 16. San Fran is a game in front of New Orleans (while also fielding a better conference record). San Fran gets to play three games against the NFC west and a game against Pitt at San Fran. New Orleans has to travel to Tenn and Minnesota, before hosting Atlanta and Carolina in the dome. San Fran may not need our help, but it would sure be nice to give it to them to see the Saints host a wild card game and then have to win in SF and GB to reach the Super bowl.

[WolfpackPantherMan]

Not that I think it will happen, but aren't we mathematically still in the hunt for a wildcard spot?

[Donald LaFell]

Not that I think it will happen, but aren't we mathematically still in the hunt for a wildcard spot?

Bears, falcons, and lions need to lose out I think.

[WolfpackPantherMan]

So youre telling me theres a chance?

[Matthias]

The Bears will lose out. (Cutler and Forte are gone) The Falcons could lose at least three games, making their record 8-8. (Which we could win a tie breaker) The Giants need to lose at least two, and they have to play the Cowboys twice in the final four games. The Cards need to lose two games, the Seahawks need to lose one or two, and the Eagles need to lose one. After that, we're good.

[WolfpackPantherMan]

The Bears will lose out. (Cutler and Forte are gone) The Falcons could lose at least three games, making their record 8-8. (Which we could win a tie breaker) The Giants need to lose at least two, and they have to play the Cowboys twice in the final four games. The Cards need to lose two games, the Seahawks need to lose one or two, and the Eagles need to lose one. After that, we're good.

Another thing working for us is that Detroit and Chicago have already played each other twice, so its possible for both of them to finish 7-9

[TruCatzFan]

Playing spoiler has never been prettier. Cam at the helm makes it all worth while imo. I can't wait to prevent Breese from breaking Marino's record for the 2nd time!

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Atlanta is in the most vulnerable spot but both Houston and NO should be facing the week with dread. Ideally I would love to see the cats beat up on the division if nothing else than to serve notice about what's coming in 2012

[Jesse]

So youre telling me theres a chance?

[Lout]

If we lose this week to Atlanta and get officially disqualified from playoff contention.. I'd rather not play spoiler this season. I'd rather lose a few games now, to win more games when it counts next year, and for several years down the road by picking up higher quality players, not only in the 1st round, but each round.

[raleigh-panther]

This team needs to relearn how to win and fight through adversity.

Playing for a draft pick, no, not the way a pro team does it...not one with pride anyway.

The Panthers will be hard pressed to win the rest of their games.

Can they do it, yes?

Will they?

That depends on the offense taking advantage of very single opportunity it has to score and the defense to be men and make tackles. The special teams, well, let's just hope it doesn't come down to a game winner from Mare.

[panthers55]

If we lose this week to Atlanta and get officially disqualified from playoff contention.. I'd rather not play spoiler this season. I'd rather lose a few games now, to win more games when it counts next year, and for several years down the road by picking up higher quality players, not only in the 1st round, but each round.

I don't understand that kind of thinking. Sure I get the issue, but you never play to lose you play to win. You put it all out there and what happens happens. In my way of thinking the confidence and chemistry we get from win 2 or 3 more games more than makes up for the change in draft positions from 7th to 14th, for example. After all,once you get out of the top 5 differences between players levels out pretty quickly.

[BigSyke]

it will be so funny if cam and tim get to the sb magically and play.

but yeah try to win out the best u can

[Mage]

I don't know, if we win this week, we are very well still in the hunt with so many NFC teams collapsing. Our odds would be so better had we not choked a game away to Detroit.