Panthers? Playoffs?

The Story

Shocking just about everybody, the Panthers pummeled the New Orleans Saints Sunday 41-10 and kept themselves alive to win the NFC South and a home playoff game.

The Facts

– With seven straight losses, everybody had written off the Panthers this season.

– Cam has been in a serious slump. Zero turnovers against the Saints.

– If Atlanta loses Monday night, Carolina will only be a half game back in the division.

Quotes

Here’s a taste of the Panthers rollercoaster this week:

Mon-Sat: It’s All Over

– “Ultimately I would not give Newton an extension yet, not after this suffocating season. There are just too many question marks.” — Observer sports columnist Scott Fowler

– “In football, our quarterback is prancing around town hawking cologne. Unfortunately, this is appropriate. Because we stink.” — Observer Metro Columnist Mark Washburn

– “Hey Panthers, when the public shelled out money for the new scoreboards, it was with the expection that you’d put points on it.” – @Mspurr

– “I’m thinking that most of the yards in Charlotte will be immaculate shortly after 1 PM on Sunday.” – @chrisbbeaver

 Sunday during the game

 – “Why are the panthers winning” – @Semaj_100

– “Lol. The panthers will lose this game if it ends up coming down to the end and on cams shoulders” – @jonah_corn

– “Anybody know what channel the Panthers game is on? Currently watching the Saints get crushed by some white and blue team.” – @austintatious91

After the game

– “It was one of the most astounding and inexplicable games I have ever covered in 20 years following the Panthers.” – Fowler

– “The day I decide to go shopping, the Panthers win a game!!” – @DeborahBriggs3

– “Thanks to all the @panthers fans for continuing to support us even though the season hasn’t gone as planned – just know we will #KeepPounding.” – @TD58SDTM (Thomas Davis)

– “So who had the Hornets-Panthers parlay this weekend?” – @rick_bonnell (Yes! The Hornets won, too!)

C5’s Take

Thank goodness the Panthers are in the worst division in the NFL. We’ll take a playoff run, even if we’re the best of the worst. Checkout the Panthers easiest path to the playoffs.

Photo: Jeff Siner / Charlotte Observer

This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 5:52 AM with the headline "Panthers? Playoffs?."