Panthers at the Saints (UPDATE: PANTHERS WIN 34-31)

Panthers logo Today is the last day of regular season play, and many teams are out there jockeying for playoff positions. The Panthers are one of them. With a win over 9-7 NFC South division rivals the New Orleans Saints, who will try and play the role of spoiler on their home turf today since they are out of playoff contention, it would mean one Panthers playoff game at home. Other potential scenarios:

Carolina can secure its first NFC South title since 2003, when it reached the Super Bowl for the only time in the franchise’s 14-year history, if it beats New Orleans (8-7) or if Atlanta falls to St. Louis. However, if the Panthers lose and the Falcons win, Carolina would miss out on a first-round bye and have to open the playoffs on the road next week in Arizona.

“It would be just awful not to get that first-round bye,” Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason said. “I think we owe it to ourselves to finish off what we have done this season.”

Indeed.

Game time is at 1 PM ET, and will be broadcast on Fox.

Update – 4:16 PM: Whew! That was a close call. We dominated until the 4th qtr, when the Saints staged a comeback that nearly cost us a victory, but in the end we kicked a field goal in the final seconds to win 34-31.