Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers: Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) attempts a pass against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) and strong safety Keanu Neal (22) in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

We’re at the quarter mark of the season, so let’s take a look at how the playoff path is shaping up for the Carolina Panthers.

After a crushing loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers fans all over the Charlotte area were sent into panic mode on Sunday and throughout the week.

With a 1-3 start, it’s easy to see why fans would have doubts. After all, only 26 out of 183 teams to lose three of their first four games have gone on to make the post-season since 1990.

That’s a discouraging 14% for anyone keeping count.

Clearly, history is not on the side of the boys in black in blue, so is it even worth having hope? Well for starters, let’s remember that this team was a dominating 15-1 just a season ago and rosters the reigning MVP of the National Football League.

If any bunch is equipped to turn things around, you’re looking at them right here.

So what does the course look like to this point? Let’s take a peak at how things could look when the Carolina Panthers enjoy a bye during week seven.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene’ Benwikere (25) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

NFC South

So far, the Atlanta Falcons have taken a strong hold of the division with wins over both the Panthers and the Saints. Their only loss to this point came at the hands of the Buccaneers but that’s looking more like an anomaly right now.

That being said, there’s still a lot that could happen before Carolina even enters their bye in Week 7.

The Panthers’ next two games come against teams with two combined wins while Atlanta will play their next two against Denver and Seattle with a combined seven wins. We could realistically be looking at both Carolina and Atlanta sporting 3-3 records heading into Week 7.

Of course, New Orleans and Tampa Bay could make a push but that’s where two more divisional games in a row for the Panthers could be a major advantage – if they’re wins for the Cats.

Assuming the Panthers win their next two games, the best New Orleans or Tampa Bay could be is 2-3 (with their bye weeks coming on Weeks 5 and 6, respectively).

This would leave the Panthers in a nice position of 3-3 and tied for first in the division (assuming Atlanta does lose both of its games), coming off of two big divisional wins.

Bottom line – it’s far from over, folks.

Oct 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles from pressure by Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Carolina defeated Seattle, 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Wild Card

The Wild Card situation is a little trickier, but we can still take a look at how things may look by week seven if the Falcons continue to stay hot.

As of right now, the three second-place teams of the other NFC divisions are the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers – all with only one loss.

This doesn’t sound encouraging on the surface but it’s a lot better than it may seem.

At this point it’s pretty safe to assume that one Wild Card team will come out of the NFC North with both the Packers and Vikings making the playoffs. This leaves the East, West and South to battle it out for the final spot.

The Seahawks have to be the favorites to win the West, which essentially just leaves the Cardinals and Rams in contention. The Cardinals are struggling just as mightily as the Panthers and it would be rather unlikely that both teams have a major turnaround. The Rams, on the other hand, have gotten off to a hot start at 3-1, but them continuing that for the final three quarters of the season seems equally unlikely.

This leaves the NFC East, a division notorious for beating each other up. If the Eagles continue to win, that would, in all likelihood, only leave the Cowboys and Giants – neither of which are a given to tear through the remainder of the season.

The message that is continuing to be stressed here is simple…this season is far, far from being over.

Have there been a lot of unsettling things to this point in the season? Absolutely. But as of now, let’s sit back and trust in Ron Rivera and co.

If we’re looking at another loss on Tuesday morning, then it might be time to panic…

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