The Carolina Panthers are playing meaningful football games at the business end of the season. That hasn't been the case in previous years, so it's a refreshing change of pace that signifies just how far this squad has come under head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan.
Carolina has a shot to win the NFC South, sitting half a game back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They also have the third-strongest remaining schedule league-wide, so things are about to get a lot more challenging before their fate is decided.
The Panthers won't be looking too far ahead, not after what happened before and during their shocking loss to the New Orleans Saints.