The Carolina Panthers are about to tackle their only prime-time game of the campaign. And one could argue that it is their most crucial contest since the NFC South decider against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under interim head coach Steve Wilks in 2022.
That didn't go very well, to put it mildly. However, something feels a lot different this time around for head coach Dave Canales' squad.
A stunning overtime success against the Atlanta Falcons put the Panthers just half a game back within the division. Beating the San Francisco 49ers on the road would be their most significant statement yet, but it's not going to be easy against a team that still harbors lofty ambitions after a 7-4 start to the campaign.