NFL winners and losers of Wild Card Weekend

NFL Winners and Losers of Wild Card Weekend: Romo, Dalton, officials and more

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and the Carolina Panthers celebrate after beating the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with fans after beating the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Winners: Carolina Panthers

Sure, they were a 7-8-1 team going into the playoffs from the single worst division in football. They’ve been shaky all season and if you wanted to argue that no team should be in the playoffs with a sub-.500 record I would at least listen to the argument even if I disagreed.

You need to get into the playoffs though, and Carolina managed that, while at the same time heating up.

The Panthers aren’t a team I am 100 percent sold on, as beyond Greg Olsen and rookie Kelvin Benjamin they don’t have much for Cam Newton to throw to. On top of that, while the defense has played very well lately, they have been streaky all season. I’m also not impressed when any defense beats up on a quarterback like Ryan Lindley.

I mean, good job, but you sort of better do that.

Still, Newton is playing very well and right now Carolina is finding ways to win. That makes them an interesting team heading into the game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Maybe it’s still a mismatch, but you have to think that Carolina might just have the momentum to upset the Seahawks machine.

Next: Losers: Pittsburgh Steelers

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