CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The game was moved to the coveted Sunday night spot. It could determine the No. 1 seed, home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, and if the Carolina Panthers really deserve to be considered one of NFL’s elite teams.
Trouble is, that game isn’t until next weekend. Before the Panthers (10-3) visit the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, they must first face the Denver Broncos (8-5) on Sunday, a tricky game six days after Monday’s emotional win over top rival Tampa Bay.
Trip up against the Broncos, who can clinch the AFC West with a win, and Carolina’s game next week might be a part of its scramble to just make the playoffs in the competitive NFC.
don’t take care of something on Sunday, then we put ourselves back to a position we don’t want to be in.”
It didn’t take long for coach John Fox to drive that point home. In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, shortly after DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 301 yards rushing and four touchdowns against the Buccaneers, Fox talked about not wanting his players to “drink all this Kool-Aid.”
He meant getting caught up in the sudden accolades the Panthers would receive. And sure enough, the days that followed included a playful debate on the proper nickname for Williams and Stewart (Smash and Dash or Razzle and Dazzle?), and plenty of attention for Steve Smith, Julius Peppers and even early analysis on the Panthers-Giants game.
“You can’t really enjoy it. We didn’t even watch film of this game,” Delhomme said of the 38-23 win over the Buccaneers. “All of the people patting you on the back and whatnot, well, it’s on to the next game.”
Good call, because the Broncos enter with a shiny 3-0 record against the powerful NFC South, and a potent air attack that could further exploit what has been Carolina’s biggest flaw the past two weeks.
n Marshall and the Broncos become the last team to visit Charlotte.
Denver, the only team with a winning record in its division, will clinch the title with a win or a San Diego loss to Kansas City. While the Broncos have been inconsistent, with wins over Tampa Bay and the Jets and losses to Jacksonville, Kansas City and Oakland, they’ve won four of their past five after a three-game losing streak.
“Four weeks ago, you guys were running us out of here,” Cutler said. “It’s been up and down, but the guys have stuck together and we won some tough games and we battled through it. We’re in a good position right now and we just need to take advantage of it.”
But that may mean Cutler has to shoulder most of the load because of the revolving door at running back. Peyton Hillis (torn hamstring) became the fifth back to be placed on injured reserve. That leaves Tatum Bell, who was selling cell phones last month, as perhaps Denver’s best option.
That’s a stark contrast to Carolina’s potent tandem of Williams and Stewart, who became only the sixth set of backs since 1960 to rush for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the same game. They’ve combined for over 1,800 yards rushing and 21 touchdown runs.
ys and how they’ve played and what type of ability they have. But any time you see what I consider to be two Pro Bowl talents play at an exceptional level, it was fun to watch two guys step up and make plays like they did.”
Shanahan faces a tough task to limit the duo, as the Broncos have the league’s 26th-rated rushing defense.
So the Broncos love to pass and the Panthers have been blistered through the air in the past two weeks. The Panthers love to run and the Broncos can’t stop it. And as the Panthers try to complete an 8-0 regular-season home mark, the Broncos seek their fourth straight road win.
“This is probably the best team we’re going to go against this season,” Broncos defensive tackle Kenny Peterson said. “I mean, this is a huge test for us to see what we’re going to do against another playoff team.”
While the Broncos will lock up a postseason spot with a win, the Panthers can also clinch a playoff berth with a win and a loss by Dallas or Atlanta. It would also cap an emotional short week after the win Monday and Wednesday’s news that hospitalized owner Jerry Richardson needs a heart transplant.
But the Panthers have had trouble handling prosperity. In 2005, the Panthers improved to 9-3, then lost two of their next three games and limped into the playoffs as a wild-card team.
le in coaching,” Fox said, “is to keep your guys’ minds right.”
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