
Carolina passed the first test, and that was get into the playoffs. Now comes the daunting task of being a road team for probably the entire postseason. And it all begins on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (FOX) as the fifth-seeded Panthers go up against the fourth-seeded Giants in the Meadowlands. New York plays tough at home, 8-1 record including the extra "home" game against New Orleans, and the fans will be loud. But that is a squad that is decimated by injuries on the defensive end, and the Panthers look to take advantage. A strong run game and short passes over the middle should wear out the Giants and give Carolina its best chance to win. Not only that, but it is a return for head coach John Fox, who was New York's defensive coordinator 1997-2001. "You are always trying to have momentum, because when you win it breeds confidence," Fox said. "Whether we have momentum or not, the reality is we've got to outperform our opponent."
Can the Caroina Panthers do it? Only time will tell.