The Carolina Panthers have beaten the Los Angeles Rams once already this season. If they can do the same again, head coach Dave Canales' squad will reach the playoff divisional round.
Not many in the media or in Vegas are giving the Panthers much of a chance of that. They are double-digit underdogs with sportsbooks. Annual calls to ludicrously re-seed the postseason as another division leader hosts a Super Bowl favorite have reared their heads again. But even though Carolina stumbled over the line to reach the knockout rounds, they deserve to be here.