Cat Scratch Reader
It looks like fans of the Carolina Panthers didn’t waste all of their well wishes, gratitudes, and thankfulness on the holiday season this year. Despite being 2-3 since Thanksgiving, the Panthers managed to win the chaotic NFC South and sneak their way into the playoffs. Fans could hardly be happier.
We have well documented the roller coaster nature of Bryce Young and Dave Canales’ second season together. Nothing is easy when explaining the Carolina Panthers and we all know that there is more than one steady offseason of work standing between them and true relevancy in the NFL. That said, most folks recognize the fact that the Panthers were even capable of overachieving this season is a sign of just how far the team has come.
This number dropped one single percentage point after the team’s Week 18 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That may well be the smallest drop after a loss they have ever recorded. At this point we know where the team is struggling and where they are improving. It’s nice to see fans more confident in their opinions than reactionary to the vagaries of the team’s performance.
Perhaps most importantly, we’re all just happy to be here. A first place schedule in 2026 combined with a higher draft pick thanks to making the playoffs isn’t exactly setting the team up for logistical success next season, but that’s a problem to wrestle with in April. For now, the Panthers technically have a shot at the Super Bowl. 18 teams are sitting at home watching the Carolina Panthers play football. There is nothing wrong with enjoying for that the moment.
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