On Christmas Eve the Carolina Panthers clinched a berth in the playoffs although their overall seed will be determined following the regular season finale. Carolina could land anywhere from the No. 2 overall NFC seed with a bye and guaranteed home game, to their current fifth seed.
At number five it is likely the Panthers will travel back to the Superdome for yet another game with divisional rival New Orleans. Having already dropped two games to the Saints, in Weeks 3 and 13, Carolina is extremely familiar with the dual rushing attack of rookie Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram.