THE WAITING GAME

The Panthers don’t know who they’ll play next, but it will be a team they’ve already beaten.

If Seattle knocks off Minnesota this weekend, the Seahawks will come to Charlotte. If the Vikings win, the Panthers will get whoever advances from Green Bay at Washington.

Rivera said the plan this week includes self-scouting, which is typical during a bye. But he doesn’t usually hold practices from Wednesday through Friday, something he’s going to do this time around.

“We’re going to use this week very wisely,” Rivera said. “We’re going to do it a little bit different than we have in the past. We’re going to try to keep the guys around as much as possible.”

Until the Panthers beat the Seahawks in Week 6, Rivera’s teams were 0-5 after bye weeks, including the 2013 playoff loss to the 49ers.