Gut Check
Posted December 26, 2005, 10:04 AM ET

For the Carolina Panthers, it has all come down to a single game. To make the playoffs, the Panthers must win a game against the Atlanta Falcons in the House of Horrors - the Georgia Dome.

Given how many opportunities the Panthers have had in December to lock up a divisional title and playoff bid, it is truly ridiculous that they find themselves in this position.

But they have nobody to blame but themselves. And given the Panthers recent history in big games the past few years, Sunday could be troublesome.

Think about it: in 2003, the Panthers have a fourth quarter lead in Super Bowl XXXVIII against New England, and the defense can't close the deal. The Panthers lose a heartbreaking game on the game's biggest stage.

Last year, in the final regular season game...at home against the always-average New Orleans Saints, the Panthers lay an egg and get punked and miss out on a playoff berth. The game leaves a bad taste in everybody's mouth and the woulda-coulda-shoulda game is played during the entire off season.

A few weeks ago, the Panthers again playing at home get outplayed in a huge swing game against Tampa Bay and allow their NFC South rivals to get right back in the hunt. Today, the Bucs can find the Panthers in the rear-view mirror.

Sunday, the Panther lose again...at home...when they blow an early 10-point lead to the Dallas Cowboys, and then watch the defense surrender a controversial late game touchdown. Julius Jones looked like an all-world back against the Panthers' defensive front.

The Panthers are making life tough on themselves and their fan base. The big question surrounding this team a few weeks ago was if it could solidify a first round bye and a home playoff game. Now, the unthinkable has entered into the thought process.....no playoffs?

How is that possible?

What makes it tougher to figure out is their final regular season opponent, the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have had a very disappointing season...they're 8-7 and officially out of the playoffs. Does that make them an easy prey or more dangerous given the importance of the game for the Panthers?

I think it makes the Falcons scary-dangerous. Here's why...the Panthers took great glee in rubbing in the Dirty Birds' faces during their win at Carolina. It was the best game the Panthers played all year. The talk that whole week was about eliminating the stigma that Michael Vick had owned the franchise.

Even after the game, Falcon players talked about the Panthers intensity and drive to finally beat Vick and eliminate the hex. There would be nothing better for Falcon Nation to return the favor to the Panthers.

What also is disturbing is John Fox' record against teams with a winning record during his stint as head coach. Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald came up with this stat during the year, and it is surprising....John Fox is now 7-16 against teams with winning records. Ouch. And given the perception of John Fox' productivity as the Panthers' head coach, that number is shocking. If you had asked me, I probably would have stated the opposite results.

Sunday is a big game in many ways for the Panthers franchise. Before the season started, I had many conversations with Panthers players and officials that the 2005 season was going to validate the 2003 Super Bowl season as legit or as a fluke. If the Panthers win and make the playoffs, they can be a factor. If they lose again in Atlanta, and fail to make the playoffs...2005 will go down as the biggest disappointment in team history....that's right, even worse than the 1-15 disaster under George Seifert.

The 1-15 team never had a chance....the 2005 team was picked by many, including me, to make it to Detroit to play in Super Bowl XL.

The ball is in your court, Panthers...what are you going to do about it?

It is time to "Punch the Ticket".