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November 23, 2009
Panthers trail trio of teams by two games for wild card
Let's begin by affirming that the Carolina Panthers are a major long shot to make the playoffs.
But there's no denying coach John Fox's assertion last week that as long as they're mathetically in the race, well, they're in it.
With that in mind, it's worth noting that after Sunday's games, which followed Carolina's Thursday night loss to Miami, three teams have a two-game lead over the Panthers in the wild-card race.
The top record for non-division leaders in the NFC is 6-4, with three teams currently tied in the hunt for two wild-card berths -- the Giants, Eagles and Packers.
Next at 5-5 is Atlanta. It's somewhat surprising to see the Falcons reeling a bit in the mid-section of their schedule.
Then, trying to avoid fading completely out of the race at 4-6 are the Panthers, Bears and 49ers.
After having the weekend off, the Panthers report back to work today for meetings and a brief on-field walk-through as they begin preparing for next Sunday's game against the struggling New York Jets. The Jets are 4-6, losing six of their past seven games after starting the season 3-0.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on November 23, 2009 at 12:12 AM | Permalink
Comments
Long shot...it can happen but long shot. We are too beat up and too inconsistent to have it really happen. But in the end, who knows what will happen. This teams shows that they can be really good at times, and really bad "most" other times.
Posted by: Panthers2003 | Nov 23, 2009 8:58:19 AM
I think the odds of us making the playoffs are identical to those of Fox keeping his job after this season.
Posted by: Elrod | Nov 23, 2009 9:24:01 AM
Playoffs??! Playoffs??! Are you kidding me??? Playoffs??!
Posted by: Raptor | Nov 23, 2009 9:31:49 AM
Playoffs??! Playoffs??! Are you kidding me??? Playoffs??!
Posted by: Raptor | Nov 23, 2009 9:36:57 AM
Well, I will keep hope for it but I think we just have to much players down. But with 2 easy, if there is such a thing, games coming up at least we should be looking at 500 in 2 weeks.
Posted by: Thorrez | Nov 23, 2009 9:54:18 AM
We also haven't fared lately during prime-time exposure. We lost last year to the Giants on Sunday Night Football, to the Cardinals in the playoffs, Cowboys this season on Monday Night, and now the Dolphins on Thursday night. That's four in a row! Why even bother with giving us a playoff spot... we'll just blow it anyway! haha
Posted by: Clay | Nov 23, 2009 9:56:53 AM
Sounds like a beer comercial
Posted by: Frank | Nov 23, 2009 9:57:26 AM
I guess we flexed out of the the Vikings game on 12/20.
Posted by: Mailer | Nov 23, 2009 10:08:45 AM
Don't understand how a team with an outstanding running game will pass for over 40 attempts, especially with someone as lame and inconsistant as Delhome at the helm. So far the panther's have lost 3 games they should have won; they will be lucky to win two of the next 6. Playoffs? Next year maybe Mr Richardson will give us early Christmas gifts - new QB, new Coach(es), new GM!
Posted by: Tlucky | Nov 23, 2009 10:15:31 AM
As much as I would like to say we still have a shot at the post season, the reality is that the year is over as far as the playoffs are concerned. If we would of taken care of business last Thursday we would of been in the mix, but in my opinion 9-7 is what will get you in this year, which means we have to win the next 5 out of 6. The last six include games at New England, New York Giants, home with the Vikings, and home vs. the Saints. As I mentioned before, if we would of beat the Dolphins, 7-5 was a great possibility. At that point our goal would of been to split the next 4 to finish 9-7. As of now I think we are working for an 8-8 season which is not a losing season. Anyways, you don't deserve to go to the playoffs when you lose to Buffalo and Miami at home! I will however be at all the remaining home games cheering on our Panthers as they tear at our heart and start the discussions of "next year". It will be an interesting off season which can very easily have a bunch of new faces on the sideline next August. In saying all that, I hope we realize that we have the best running back duo in the league, RUN the ball 40+ times a game and go 6-0. Fox...don't over coach, the game is easy..stick with your strengths like giving DeAngelo more than 13 carries. Go Panthers!
Posted by: PantherFan | Nov 23, 2009 10:18:15 AM
Run the ball (much) more. Stop the run. The bright side to the Thursday game is that we have the closest thing to a bye week for resting up injuries. I don't think that 9-7 will win a wild card spot, but we can finish no worse than 5-1 (and a WHOLE lot of help) to even have a prayer at the playoffs. Honestly, I'm not even sure that 10-6 would be enough, but there were a lot of bizarre upsets yesterday that reminded me that anything can happen in the NFL...even Fox remembering what happens when he prematurely abandons the running game.
Posted by: Newsinz | Nov 23, 2009 11:13:27 AM
playoffs ? playoffs ?. you dont know. you think you know, but you really dont know,and you never will.
jim mora
this season is history koolade drinkers. i refuse to watch another panther game until fox is gone and jake is on the bench as third string.peppers better be gone also. were going to need that 20 mil to find a def end with heart and a quarterback who can manage the game.
Posted by: ray | Nov 23, 2009 11:16:30 AM
This season has been quite frustrating, we've looked really good sometimes, and really poor at others. I hope that we can get it together for next season, which starts right now with a good work ethic and more importantly a good offseason. Sign TD, get value for Peppers, and Please Please Please get a Quarterback!!! All of you Moore lovers I hate to break it to you, but I don't think he is the qb of the future otherwise we would have seen him in some action by now. Wait a minute nevermind John Fox never changes anything!!!!
Posted by: Nick | Nov 23, 2009 11:42:56 AM
Playoff chances one in a million..... so your saying there's a chance
Posted by: Nick | Nov 23, 2009 11:43:48 AM
Where are the real Panther fans yall sound like a bunch of babies if it was all over why play the remaining games. Try telling some of the players on the team that its all over if they were to read some of the stuff you guys say about them that'll just boost their moral wouldn't it I wouldn't want any of you babies as my fans if you are going to be a fan stand behind them and uplift them not criticise what they do or don't do. Think about our troop in the war when others said we lost the war how would they feel knowing they didnt have the support of the American people.
Posted by: ceasar | Nov 23, 2009 3:59:07 PM
I've been reading your posts for a while. And I'm a bite ashamed of those of you so called panther fans.
I know this season hasn´t worked real well, and that the playoff scenario ain´t easy. But hey, a real fan supports his team, and some of you are hoping to lose in order to get a new coach and a new QB, like if that was the solution to everything.
When the panthers win, you so called "fans" don't post a thing, but with a lose, wow suddenly everthing is wrong with Hurney, Fox, Delhomme, Peppers and my grandmother for what is worth.
This franchise has acomplished a lot since it began, we haven´t arrived were we all want to be, but hey that´s the beauty of this sport. At least for one sunday everything is posible, and if there is a shot, a posibility I will support my team.
KEEP POUNDING, GO PANTHERS!!!
Posted by: EDWIN | Nov 23, 2009 4:05:35 PM
good post ceasar but jake and the boys are still poke salad!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: tony joe white | Nov 24, 2009 7:13:09 PM
john fox has some balls talking playoffs, i'll take brains over balls. he's an idiot. how many days before next season kicks off with cowher. he''ll sign an average qb, hire a special teams coach and look like a genius.
Posted by: joe cool | Nov 24, 2009 9:46:55 PM
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