Hmmm. I can see the 10-6 record for Carolina much more clearly than I can see 12-4 for New Orleans.
And I think that it is absolutely a mistake to think that the Vikings would take out the Panthers in the playoffs. The trick for John Fox is to make the single-elimination round. His track record is that Foxy’s teams play well — especially on the road — in the pressure of the playoffs.
But overall, I’d take 10-6 and a wildcard, although 11-5 and a division title would be much nicer.
Update: And ESPN ranks the Panther fans 25th out of 32 teams and former Uptown paper Panther beatwriter Pat Yasinskas says home games have a “wine-and-cheese atmosphere.” Can’t argue with that, Pat.
