CHARLOTTE – In both 2013 and 2014, the Carolina Panthers couldn't call themselves division champions until the final play of their final regular season game in Atlanta.
This season, they clinched before even facing the Falcons for the first time.
Even so, head coach Ron Rivera said Monday that the Panthers haven't yet won anything – except the right to compete for their ultimate goal.
"It's the first step. If you become division champs, you give yourself the chance obviously the opportunity for the playoffs, but we've got to continue to play," Rivera said. "There's still a lot of work left to go, and we'll see how things unfold.