Three Games Left: What We Need From Panthers Fans in The Final Stretch.

Bryce Young & Rico Dowdle

Every time it feels like this team is finally taking a step forward, we wake up to the same pitiful brand of football we swore we’d left behind. That’s why this season keeps bringing me back to Groundhog Day, the Bill Murray classic where progress is teased, lessons are learned--or so it seems--and yet the alarm clock keeps blasting us back to square one. On paper, this is a team that looks like it has the pieces, the plan, and the potential to get it right. On Sundays, though it’s the same mistakes, the same missed opportunities, and the same uneasy feeling that we’ve seen this exact game before.

So, what’s left to do? We dust ourselves off and go back to work, because somehow, despite everything, this season isn’t over yet and the door to the playoffs is still cracked open. But after being owned by a 10-loss team, it’s worth asking the uncomfortable question, does a team that plays like that actually belong in the postseason?

Road to Playoffs

Carolina is now tied with Tampa Bay at 7–7, and with only three games remaining, there’s no margin for error. The Panthers’ path to first place in the NFC South likely requires sweeping the Buccaneers, without relying on Miami to do them any favors against Tampa Bay. Don’t get me wrong, the Buccaneers haven’t been impressive this season, but given the way Miami has been playing, I’m not counting on much help there. In short, the Panthers need to lock in and pretend they are facing the Packers or the Rams for the next three weeks. 

Based on what we’ve seen this season; some might say this team is still a year or two away from truly contending. But that’s no excuse to pass up the opportunity sitting right in front of you when it’s there for the taking. The slate is clean and the stage is set. Both teams stand at 0–0, reaching for the same star.

The message for this week is simple: believe. In a season defined by tight races and slimmer margins, belief might be the most important thing left to hold onto, especially during the Christmas season, when hope feels a little stronger and possibilities feel a little closer. The Panthers have everything they need: the talent, the opportunity, and a clear path in front of them. It’s no longer about what other teams might do or what help may or may not come. It’s about trusting what’s in the locker room, embracing the moment, and believing that this team can rise when it matters most.