The Carolina Panthers are doing something we haven’t seen in years - controlling their own playoff destiny in December. That’s not a sentence many expected to write this season, but here we are. For the first time since 2017, the Panthers are legitimately in the hunt, and the math is simple: win out, and they’re NFC South champs with a home playoff game to show for it.
Now, let’s be clear - the road ahead isn’t exactly a cakewalk. But the Panthers have given themselves some margin for error.
Even if they drop a game or two down the stretch, they’re still in the mix, depending on how the Buccaneers and a few NFC wildcard hopefuls finish their seasons. That kind of flexibility in December?
That’s a luxury this team hasn’t had in a long time.
The turning point came last week with a statement win over the Los Angeles Rams - who, at the time, were sitting atop the NFC playoff standings. That upset didn’t just shake up the postseason picture; it sent a jolt of belief through the Panthers’ fan base.
According to the latest fan confidence poll, 91% of fans say they’re confident in the direction of the team. That’s a massive swing from just a week ago, when most fans weren’t exactly sold on Bryce Young or the offense’s ability to deliver.
It’s a very Panthers kind of paradox - a team that’s been doubted all season suddenly inspiring belief at a crucial moment. But confidence doesn’t necessarily mean sky-high expectations. Fans are cautiously optimistic, and that’s reflected in how they’re projecting the final stretch.
When asked to predict the team’s final record, 91% of fans said they expect Carolina to finish with some version of a winning record. That’s not just optimism - it’s grounded in the reality of the schedule.
The Panthers only need to win two of their remaining four games to finish above .500. And only a sliver of the fan base - just 1% - thinks the team will lose out from here.
What’s more interesting is the growing number of fans who believe this team could hit the 10-win mark. That’s not a pipe dream anymore. It’s a real possibility, and it speaks to how quickly things can shift in the NFL when a young quarterback finds his rhythm, the defense locks in, and a team starts believing in itself.
So here we are: December football, meaningful games, and a shot at the playoffs. The Panthers are far from perfect, but they’re alive - and in this league, that’s all you can ask for in the final month of the season.