4 burning questions Carolina Panthers fans are asking ahead of Week 14

Do the Carolina Panthers have a path to the playoffs?

Other than winning out which is highly unlikely, do you see a path for us to sneak into the playoffs? – Ben Ferguson

Thank you for this question, Ben.

I’ll be very blunt here. The playoff chances are nonexistent.

I don’t care what their chances are, I’m all the way out on the idea of postseason football for the Carolina Panthers.

Look, the way this team has fought, toughed out games, and stayed competitive in each contest since Matt Rhule’s firing is inspiring. Especially for an interim guy like Steve Wilks who is looking to remove that tag.

There is just a lot wrong with this team that makes me very skeptical when it comes to any sort of playoff hope. First, Tom Brady still exists and I believe their comeback win against the New Orleans Saints will be the boost they need to make a run.

Second, Sam Darnold is the quarterback. As much as I loved seeing him play a clean game versus the Denver Broncos, consistency and creating turnovers is his biggest issue and he’ll be facing defenses that can certainly force them such as the Seattle Seahawks this weekend.

Third, Carolina has shown inconsistencies throughout the campaign. The team hasn’t created a stretch of games where they have had steady production on either side of the ball. I have concerns about how they’ll look against the Seahawks, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, and the Detroit Lions offense.

I would love nothing more as a fan to see this team pull off the impossible and reach the postseason. It seems unrealistic, though.