I didn't have to beat anybody on the phone lines last Thursday nor navigate through ticketmaster's system, but I did have to wait 5 extra days to know for sure that I would be able to go. A friend from my parents church has bought season tickets from a PSL holder in Charlotte who no longer attends the games for the last 3-4 years . I asked him last weekend if he was getting playoff tickets and if I could have one. He said yes provided his source bought them and didn't use them. I've been anxiously waiting since and this morning around 9:30 my cell phone rang. I finally had confirmation the tickets are in the mail and one was for me. Guys I'm stoked.

This will be my fourth time seeing the Panthers in person, second trip to Bank of America Stadium (1st  game was at Clemson and most recent was on the road versus the Titans last season). I will be in section 512, row 5.

I do have a question since I'm not a regular to sporting events. Since there is a possiblity of rain, for those that go to open stadiums, what suggestions do you have to possiblity stay dry? I'm prepared for cold weather but the rain brings a new element for me.

If I think of any additional question, which I'm sure I will, i'll post them in comments.

I enjoyed last week, knowing we were in the playoffs with a bye week and watching the other teams fight it out. I didn't really care which teams we would face, but of course did have preferences. Arizona was on top of that list, that is until Monday.

Now knowing we will face the Arizona Cardinals this weekend I believe my self preservation kicked in. Yesterday, I had this feeling of impending doom. As Jaxon pointed out the last time we faced Arizona we had to make a comeback being down 17-3 into the 3rd quarter. At which point we scored finally scored three touchdowns. I also vividly remember Charles Godfrey's heads-up play in stopping the fake field goal that would have resulted in a Arizona 1st down right before half-time.

Then, seeing the Cardinals take care of business against Atlanta only added to my pessimism. Their defense stepped up and played like the game mattered and of course their offense is always lethal. They even found their running game. Giving the ball back to Edgerrin James has breathed new life into their ground game. It doesn't hurt that he's probably fairly fresh after seeing very limited carries for several weeks.

Our defense hasn't been the same down the stretch. In week 7, our defense was ranked 3rd overall and 2nd against the pass. We know rank 18th and 16th respectively. The last two games we were ahead and couldn't put the game away, although we did pull it out against the Saints.

So now I've had an extra day to ponder this uncoming game and the immidate feeling of impending doom has subsided. I won't say this game will be easy, but here are several reason I expect our Panthers to win:

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Last of our first playoff team is the Atlanta Falcons. Of course we know Atlanta pretty well as we had to face them twice a year. Yet if anybody, even the players and coaches for the Falcons, said they thought the Falcons would make the playoffs and end the season at 11-5 are lying. As we all know the Falcons have proven everybody wrong.

One of the better ways to describe the Falcons this year is consistent, good or bad, they've played pretty consistent all season. The only games they didn't score double digits all season was in weeks 2 & 4 when they played the Bucs and Panthers. Expect for those two games they were never blown out and expect for our second game against them they really never blew anybody else out. They also didn't lose two games in a row. If Matt Ryan threw more than 30 pass attempts they lost, less they won. And if they scored first in a game they won if they
didn't they lost.

Their offense finished the season 10th in points per game (24.4), 6th in total Yards (361.2), 14th in pass yards (208.5), and 2nd in rush yards (152.7). On Defense 11th in points allowed (20.3), 24th in total yards (347.9), 21st in passing yards (220.4), and 25th in rush yards (127.5).

The main reason I wouldn't want to face the Falcons is because they are a division rival. Yes they are a good team, but I feel that we are the overall better team and can beat them. We both had dominating wins this season with Atlanta putting on a major hurting in our second match-up, so if we have to face them again our D will want to correct that mistake.

We only have a few hours left before our opponent choices are down to two. I'll be watching intently.

Next on the list, seeded at #4, are the Arizona Cardinals. When we saw them last in week eight they were just peaking. I mentioned seeded at fourth as they actually have the lowest winning percentage of any team in the NFC side and 2nd lowest in all teams that made the playoffs (AFC & NFC). During the first half of the season they where scoring on average 29.3 points per game and holding their opponents to a 23.0 point average. In their last eight games their average was 24.1 points score compared to 30.3 allowed. Here's a breakdown of their game averages from each half of the season:

Now I admit I haven't been watching the Cardinals play and can't say for sure why their production fell, but I do find it interesting they struggled, especially in the running game, once they took the main rushing duties away from Edgerrin James. Yet despite the all of this, if the Cardinals get back to their first half form they are very dangerous. Another thing they have in their favor this weekend against Atlanta is they are 6-2 at home while the Falcons are 4-4 on the road.

How do they currently match up against the Panthers? I think a comparison to the Denver Broncos would be fairly accurate, which for us is a good matchup. But if they can find their running game against Atlanta their threat level increase. However, I'd still favor the Panthers in this match-up.

PS. On a side note, I hope everyone is having a great New Years Day and enjoying/enjoyed the bowl games. Go Clemson!!!

We have faced all three teams we could face in the first round of the playoffs, which I would say is an advantage. We also played all three away (and Atlanta once at home). Saying they will have to come into our house for the divisional round, I definitely think is a definite advantage. Since we faced Minnesota so long ago I want to review them first.

When we first saw Minnesota we didn't see Tarvaris Jackson but newly named starter Gus Frerotte, as Jackson was only leading the team in one direction, down. Now, Jackson has been given the reigns yet again after Frerotte was sidelined due to injuries. This time however, his play has changed and Minnesota is sticking with the hot hand through the playoffs. He's taken those reigns and won 3 of their last four games . They started the season off a little slow at 4-4, yet only lost two more during the second half of the season to finish 10-6 and winning the NFC North. They finished the season ranked 17th in overall offense, 25th in passing and 5th in rushing. Yet I don't put a lot of weight into those stats. Changing QB would be the first reason, but the second would be those rankings are just based on yards per game; short fields, turnovers, scoring field goals, etc. all affect those stats; and second, at the end of the day they are 10-6 and in the playoffs. They did something right.

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That's right; we only have to win two more games in order to play in Superbowl XLIII on February 1, 2009. In Cardiac Cat fashion the Panthers needed a game winning field goal as time wound down. Yet leaving one second on the clock gave the Saints one additional play. To top it off, the ball had to travel out of bounce to set them up not their 40 yard line, while not easy, easier than on their own 20. If anybody thinks Fox wanted to give Drew Brees one more pass at history think again. Did anybody else have a flashback to the 2003 Superbowl? I did. Yet, this time we got the win.

As we all know we are setup as the 2nd seed in the NFC. The only team we can't play in the first round will be the Eagles and they play the last game of wildcard weekend. I'm with Jaxon in that right now the Eagles seem the most dangerous of the group, but maybe it's because we haven't faced them this season. But I'm not delusional, all the teams in the playoffs are capable of big games.

We have five days to review each team. For starters however, we played Minnesota in week 3, Atlanta weeks 4 and 12, Arizona week 8, and the NY Giants week 16. Minnesota has changed a bit since we saw them, Atlanta has been a threat all season, Arizona seems to have fallen, and the Giants, expect for a few games, are pretty solid. The playoffs should be fun.

Our game the following weekend is Saturday night, January 10 at around 8 pm. I'm trying to convince my wife we should attempt to get tickets. They go on sale Thursday at 10 am. 

PS. If anybody wants to purchase a hospitality package, I would gladly take one of those tickets off your hands. :)

The last week of regular season football is here. It's with mixed emotions that I will be watching. Glad the playoffs are almost here, expecially since we are at least guaranteed a spot, but sad the season is over and in 1 1/2 months we will be left waiting for next season.

There are several things on the line this week, we all know about Drew Brees attempt at Dan Marino's passing yard record, and most Carolina fans know about DeAngelo Williams attempt at least to tie Hall of Fame Jim Brown's record for most 30+ yard TD runs in a season. Williams has six on the season and needs one more to tie. There is also the best home record of any division, although it also depends on Atlanta and Tampa Bay. The NFC South currently is tied with the best winning record for a division. With at least one home team win this weekend the NFC South will have the record.

With that said, lets examine this week's key match-up between the Panthers D and the Saints O.

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While I dislike like the Falcons as much as the next Panther fan, I feel that a congratulations was in order on clinching a playoff spot so I headed over to the Falcoholic's site and submitted a fan post.

As I said to them, I may not like the Falcons but their turnarround has been amazing. Feel free to headover there and give them a congradulations.