The Hell that must freeze over for the Panthers to make the playoffs

[Darknight]

You guys know that three teams from the same division are allowed to go to the playoffs, right? Atlanta being the 5th seed and us being the 6th is more likely than anything else I've seen you guys post.

In order for this to happen, both the Bears and the Lions need to lose out, Dallas wins the division and both the Falcons and the Panthers finish 8-8. If that happens, Carolina is the 5 seed and the Falcons is the 6th seed.

[JawnyBlaze]

We don't hold any tie breakers with Atlanta yet. I believe the first tie breaker is point differential in each win against each other (if they split their 2 games). Atlanta beat us by 14, we'd have to beat them by 15 to win the tie breaker, or win by 14 and win the next tie breaking stat.

[Darknight]

We don't hold any tie breakers with Atlanta yet. I believe the first tie breaker is point differential in each win against each other (if they split their 2 games). Atlanta beat us by 14, we'd have to beat them by 15 to win the tie breaker, or win by 14 and win the next tie breaking stat.

I believe the first tie breaker is Division record. If he have the same record but better division record, we own the tie-breaker.

If we have the same record, same division record, I believe the next tie-breaker will be conference record.

[Catalyst]

lol @ hopes getting up.

[Catalyst]

In order for this to happen, both the Bears and the Lions need to lose out, Dallas wins the division and both the Falcons and the Panthers finish 8-8. If that happens, Carolina is the 5 seed and the Falcons is the 6th seed.

Good lord, who the hell is that in your sig? :eek:

[Xrated]

Cam Newton says........

[JawnyBlaze]

I believe the first tie breaker is Division record. If he have the same record but better division record, we own the tie-breaker.

If we have the same record, same division record, I believe the next tie-breaker will be conference record.

Isn't the first tie breaker head-to-head? And the tie breaker for head to head is point differential. I'll have to look this up. Like if we had the same record, but beat them both times (or if not a division rival, beat them the time we played them) we'd own the tie breaker regardless of division record. Division record is the first tie breaker for teams that don't play each other. I'll find out for sure and reply again.

[JawnyBlaze]

Well, this is all I could find, it's from NFL.com

TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION

If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.

Two Clubs

Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).

Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.

Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.

Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.

Strength of victory.

Strength of schedule.

Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.

Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.

Best net points in common games.

Best net points in all games.

Best net touchdowns in all games.

Coin toss

So I guess point differential doesn't matter. I coulda swore I heard that said in 08 when people were talking about if the Falcons tied our record they'd have had the tie breaker because they beat us worse than we beat them.

[Dpantherman]

You guys know that three teams from the same division are allowed to go to the playoffs, right? Atlanta being the 5th seed and us being the 6th is more likely than anything else I've seen you guys post.

Yep, the AFC North currently has 3 teams in the playoffs if the season ended today.

lol @ hopes getting up.

?? uh, no.

[Wyank]

This scenario would work for both Atl (going 2-2)and Car making it while Giants take NFC East.

This scenario has Atl only losing to us the rest away and Car still making it.

This scenario has det and car as wild card with cowboys taking east.

This ..... you know what? The Panthers should just worry about winning and the rest fall into place or be happy knowing the winning attitude will pay off next year.

[hepcat]

Arizona and Seattle must also finish below .500

It's VERY unlikely....

[Bronn]

never say never... we could still get the 5th seed, even... ;)

nice

any given Sunday!

[Shufdog]

After reading through all the scenarios, the OP is right. Hell must freeze.

[TheOracle]

The following things must happen:

1) We win out. There is no scenario that gets us in without winning out. (ATL, Hou, TB, NO)

2) Atlanta loses 3 of 4 of their remaining games. (Car, Jac, NO, TB)

3) Detroit must lose out (or lose 3 & tie 1) (Min, Oak, SD, GB)

Could have missed something- http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/playoffscenario?algorithm=WinningPct

But hell thats enough, fun thought though. Hopefully next year we'll be in a 'win and you're in' situation.

Yes I'm bored.

Don't Division winners get an automatic berth?

Panthers are 1-2 in the NFC South, tied with Tampa Bay and Atlanta. The Saints are 3-1.

If the Saints lose to Atlanta (unlikely) in Week 16, and the Panthers beat the Falcons and Bucs in Charlotte (possible since they should've beaten both on the road), then both would be 3-2 heading into New Orleans in Week 17 with a chance to win the NFC South and get an automatic spot in the Playoffs.

If Division winners automatically go to the Playoffs, then the Panthers could finish 4-2 in Division, 7-9 overall, and make the Playoffs just like a 7-9 Seattle team did last season.

All the Panthers really need to care about is winning out in Division, and hope the Falcons beat the Saints.