Panthers ride success at home into playoffs

The Carolina Panthers went 6-2 at home during the regular season.

By qualifying for the playoffs, it continued a trend of reaching the postseason every time they’ve won at least six home games.

“Our fans deserved it,” tight end Ed Dickson said. “We’re going to keep pounding no matter what.”

However, unless the New Orleans Saints lose at Tampa Bay (and the Panthers win at Atlanta), the Panthers aren’t likely to be a home during the playoffs. Without winning the division, Carolina could only be home if it faced the other wild-card team in the NFC championship game.

–The Panthers have figured out how to win close games this season and that’s the biggest reason for their success.

“When we needed to drive the ball down, we did,” coach Ron Rivera said.

The Panthers are 7-1 in games decided by seven points or less. They just completed a 3-0 homestand with all of those games falling into that category.

“There was no panicking,” tight end Ed Dickson said of the winning drive against Tampa Bay. “We have been in those moments before.”

The go-ahead points against Tampa Bay coming in the final minute just added to the drama.

“They came up big at the right time for us,” Rivera said of the offense. “Cam Newton came up big for us finding the guys open down field.”