Don’t look now, but the 7-6 Carolina Panthers are in a hunt for a playoff berth and with the team not playing Sunday Carolina Blitz has your “hate watch” guide for the week.
Here are the teams Panthers fans should be rooting against:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s always hard to cheer for a division opponent, but that’s exactly what Carolina fans should be doing Sunday – twice. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just a half game ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South division. Every Bucs win makes Carolina’s path to a division title harder, which means for week 14 Panthers fans should be a part of “Who Dat” nation.
Seattle Seahawks
I said there will be two division rivals Panthers fans should be cheering for Sunday. The Atlanta Falcons host the Seattle Seahawks week 14. The Seahawks are in second place in the NFC West and hold the top wild card spot. An Atlanta win will bolster Carolina’s Wild Card hopes.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are among the Wild Card contenders who are close enough to threaten Carolina’s playoff odds. Their NFC North matchup against the Bears is one of the most anticipated games this week. Like the Seahawks, a Packers loss will help keep the Wild Card race more favorable (or at least less crowded) for the Panthers.
Detroit Lions
This was the hardest “hate watch” game to decide with both the Lions and Cowboys competing for a Wild Card spot with the Panthers. A Detroit loss is better for beating out as many competing Wild Card teams, but a Cowboys loss doesn’t directly harm Carolina’s division rivals (especially Tampa Bay Buccaneers) as much as a Cowboys win might.
A hard choice either way.
But if the main goal is an easier path to the playoffs for the Panthers I’d lean toward the rooting for the Cowboys this week. A Detroit loss helps eliminate a competitor for Wild Card spots.
The best case scenario for the Panthers this week would be a Buccaneers loss and Falcons win.
Happy bye week hate watching.