It was fitting to see the NFC South conclude a tough season with a “lose and in” scenario. The Carolina Panthers dropped their final two games, but by virtue of the Atlanta Falcons’ win in Week 18, they won the NFC South on a three-way tiebreaker at 8-9 that eliminated the Falcons and Buccaneers.
As a result, Carolina earned the #4 seed in the NFC Playoffs and will host the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday afternoon. Should Carolina defend its home turf, who awaits in the Divisional Round? What does a potential path to the Super Bowl look like?
What Are the Carolina Panthers’ Playoff Scenarios?
With three strong Wild Card squads in the NFC this year, it’s plausible the Panthers could end up hosting up to three playoff games. That’s ambitious for a team that is currently the most considerable home underdog in NFL playoff history this weekend, though.
If the Green Bay Packers defeat the Chicago Bears on Saturday night, Carolina will play the winner of Sunday’s 49ers-Eagles clash. PFSN’s Playoff Predictor gives the Packers a 42.7% chance of doing just that.
Green Bay would head to Seattle to face the top-seeded Seahawks, and the Panthers would either host the 49ers or travel to face the Eagles in the Divisional Round. Carolina lost 20-9 in Week 12 as visitors in Santa Clara.
A Bears win could result in the Carolina visiting Chicago if San Francisco, simultaneously, defeats Philadelphia. A win by the Conjoined Bears and Eagles would send the Panthers to face the Seahawks, who defeated Carolina, 27-10, at home in Week 17.
Will the Panthers Host the NFC Championship Game?
There are two scenarios in which the 8-9 Panthers could end up hosting the NFC Championship.
If the Packers defeat both the Bears and Seahawks, they would face a Carolina team that had beaten the Rams and the winner of 49ers-Eagles in their first two playoff matchups.
Carolina could also host the NFC Championship if San Francisco defeats both Philadelphia and Seattle while Carolina secures wins over Los Angeles and Chicago.
Charlotte has only hosted one NFC Championship game, in 2016. The Panthers advanced to Super Bowl 50 with a win over the Arizona Cardinals that year.
Overall, Carolina has made four total appearances in the NFC Championship, with a 2-2 record. In addition to 2016, the Panthers also beat the Eagles in 2004, advancing to Super Bowl XXXVII. They are one of five franchises to make multiple Super Bowl appearances without a win.
