3 key Carolina Panthers storylines to watch vs. Steelers in Week 15

How will Carolina Panthers cope with a playoff environment?

It’s been an age since the Carolina Panthers had anything like this expectation on their shoulders. Meaningful football was non-existent under the previous regime, but renewed hope with Steve Wilks is evident and another strong indicator that this could be the man to lead long-term.

Wilks has been keen to install a playoff mentality within a roster that’s not exactly blessed with much postseason experience. Many players have endured hard times and nothing else since entering the league, so how their interim head coach prepares them for their upcoming challenge is of critical importance.

However, Wilks can only do so much. It’s about what those on the field produce when push comes to shove.

The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be backing down from Carolina’s physical style in the trenches. Keeping emotions in check with extra adrenaline flowing through their bodies is another core component behind another potential win in the column.

This is a significant opportunity awaiting the Panthers this weekend. Things are in their hands right now, but there is absolutely no margin for error with the NFC South so wide open.

Meaningful December football. A time when legends are born and history is written.

The Panthers are getting hot at the right time, there’s no getting away from that. But this can all change in the blink of an eye if Carolina fails to cope with this environment.