Panthers face uphill battle to wild card

CHARLOTTE -- It's been obvious for months that the Carolina Panthers would face a brutal closing schedule, but it turns out theirs is the most difficult schedule among seven teams vying for two NFC wild-card playoff berths.

The Panthers' final six opponents have a combined record of 37-23 (.617 winning percentage). That's almost eight games tougher than the 29.2 average of combined wins for opponents of the other six teams.

That doesn't appear to bode well for the Panthers (4-6), considering they already trail the New York Giants (6-4), Philadelphia (6-4) and Green Bay (6-4) by two games, and Atlanta (5-5) by a game.

Tied with Carolina are Chicago and San Francisco.

To make a playoff run, the Panthers probably need to beat the New York Jets (4-6) on Sunday and Tampa Bay (1-9) on Dec. 6 before their schedule concludes with its most difficult four-game stretch of the season.

In addition to the Giants, the Panthers' closing opponents include Super Bowl contenders New England (7-3), Minnesota (9-1) and New Orleans (10-0).

The Giants face the second-most difficult schedule. New York's opponents are a combined 35-25.

The easiest-looking schedules belong to Atlanta and San Francisco, whose opponents have 25-35 records - 12 games lighter than the Panthers face. The Falcons play four of their final six at home, including New Orleans, the most difficult team remaining for them.

The Giants and Eagles, are within reach of a possible divisional championship. They both trail 7-3 Dallas in the NFC East. The other five teams are at least three games out of first place and have very little or no chance of winning their divisions.

Note: Just two games after taking over for injured Thomas Davis as a starting outside linebacker, Landon Johnson has joined Davis on the injured reserve list and is out for the season.

Johnson suffered a knee injury in Thursday's loss to Miami.

The Panthers signed linebacker/special teamer Jordan Senn to replace Johnson.

Johnson's spot in the starting lineup is expected to be filled by James Anderson or Dan Connor.

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