Celebrating a two-yard touchdown with 23 seconds remaining in the season that cuts an opponent's lead from 28 points to 21 probably is excessive. But I understand the leap by tight end Jeff King into the air and the hard spike of the football between his legs to the end zone turf.

Carolina spends less time in the other team's end zone than the rest of us spend at the beach. That's rarified air down there. Let the fellows enjoy it.

Everybody has fun when the local team is in the playoffs. Fans allow themselves to believe their team can win everything. They also believe that, by offering their support, they can help their team get there.

I heard fans and security guards in the Georgia Dome Sunday discuss plans and parties. Atlanta is back in the playoffs. Carolina was there only two seasons ago. Feels like 10.

Nice run by Brandon LaFell on his 60-yard end around, but how did he avoid scoring? LaFell had a wide open lane across the middle to the end zone. But he began to fade, and he looked for a soft place to land. Suddenly it was as if a preschool teacher yelled, "Nap time," and LaFell gently fell to the turf.

The player's name I most heard Sunday was that of Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. I never brought it up. Few Carolina writers or broadcasters - welcome to the road, broadcasters - brought it up. It was just there, all day, hanging in the air and filling the dome. It will stay at least until Jan. 15, the date by which Luck must to declare for the NFL draft.

Wonder if on the flight from Atlanta back to Charlotte John Fox will slyly withdraw from beneath his jacket a giant Styrofoam box and fill it with sirloin, shrimp, scallops, a dab of caviar and the chocolate encrusted strawberries the team offers on the trip home. Or ham sandwiches and chips.

I wonder if Fox sneaks into the bathroom and opens a secret bag and fills it with miniature soaps and shampoos. I wonder if he carves into his seat: I'll be back.