Red Flags For Each NFL Wildcard Playoff Team

Oct 19, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt throws a red challenge flag onto the field to challenge a call against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass as Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sione Fua (70) pressures in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Panthers look to get hot at the right time – can they?

Carolina becomes only the fourth team with a losing record to make the playoffs, and the first two don’t even count – the Browns and the Lions both made it at 4-5 in the strike-shortened 1982-83 season. Of course, the Panthers are hoping to capture the same magic as the last team to accomplish that, the 2010-11 Seattle Seahawks. That 7-9 Seahawks team won at home against a superior Saints team.

If Carolina hopes to move on to the next round, they will have to find a way to beat a playoff caliber team for only the second time this season. They were a dismal 1-4-1 against playoff teams in the regular season. The two advantages they have are a 4-game winning streak to end the regular season, and an opponent starting an unknown at QB. The big disadvantage – the Cardinals still have a playoff caliber defense.

Next: Which Joe Flacco will show up for Baltimore?

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