Panthers fail to gain any playoff momentum

Carolina Panthers fans are happy for a return to the playoffs but they could’ve had so much more…

The Carolina Panthers entered play on Sunday with an opportunity to finish anywhere from the third overall seed to their current standing at number five. After the Minnesota Vikings won an early game against Chicago, any hope at the second seed and a first-round bye went away but an opportunity to win the division remained with a victory and Saints loss.

Thought to be an unlikely scenario, New Orleans stumbled in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers won only their fifth game of the year against the division winning Saints. A Carolina victory over Atlanta, coupled with the other results would have led to a…