My guess: The Panthers will already have qualified for a playoff spot before they ever play the New York Giants for home-field advantage and the No.1 seed in the NFC Sunday night.

To get a playoff spot -- and it's amazing that with 11 wins Carolina still doesn't have one locked up yet -- Carolina EITHER needs to win or needs EITHER Dallas, Atlanta OR Tampa Bay to LOSE this weekend.

The Cowboys play Baltimore on Saturday night. Atlanta plays Minnesota on Sunday at 4:15. Tampa Bay plays San Diego at 1 p.m. Sunday. None of those will be easy -- I doubt very much all three teams will win.

THE NFL'S OFFICIAL RELEASE ABOUT THE PLAYOFFS

Carolina clinches NFC South title with:

1. Carolina win or tie or

2. TB loss or tie plus Atlanta loss or tie.

Carolina clinches a first-round bye with:

- Carolina win or tie.

Carolina clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

- Carolina win.

Carolina clinches a playoff spot with:

1. Dallas loss or tie or

2. Atlanta loss or tie or

3. Tampa Bay loss or tie.