When the Carolina Panthers were 6-2 at midseason this year, it wasn't uncommon to hear someone in their locker room say, "All we've been guaranteed is a 6-10 record."

While factual, remarks like that sound disingenuous.

But as the past two seasons have shown, it's important for coaches and players to keep that kind of even-keel perspective.

Fans in Detroit, Washington and Buffalo can attest to it.

The Lions started 6-2 last season and looked playoff-bound, but they're a miserable 1-21 since then.

The Redskins, like the Panthers, were 6-2 at midseason this year, but have gone 1-5 since then to fall to 7-7. Rookie coach Jim Zorn, whom some felt was the coach of the year at midseason, is now wondering out loud if he's "the worst coach in the world."

The Bills started out 5-1 this season but have cooled like the weather in the blustery Northeast. Buffalo is 1-7 since its fast beginning.

So it's easy to see why looking ahead or taking anything for granted has no place in the NFL.