As expected, the Panthers got some help from the Packers on Monday night. Green Bay held off Atlanta, 43-37, a result that again jumbled the ‘top’ three teams in the NFC South.

After Week 14, the Falcons and Saints lead the division with 5-8 records, a-half game ahead of the Panthers.

NFC SOUTH	W	L	T	UPCOMING
Atlanta	5	8	0	PIT (8-5), @NO (5-8), CAR (4-8-1)
New Orleans	5	8	0	@CHI (5-8), ATL (5-8), @TB (2-11)
Carolina	4	8	1	TB (2-11), CLE (7-6), @ATL (5-8)
Tampa Bay	2	11	0	Eliminated from playoff contention

With three games left, New Orleans has the easiest remaining schedule. Its opponents are a combined 12-27. Carolina’s opponents are 14-25, while Atlanta’s are 17-21-1.

There are a number of scenarios that could put the Panthers in the playoffs, but here are their two most direct routes to winning one of the strangest division races in NFL history:

1. Win all three remaining games; Falcons beat Saints in Week 16.
2. Win all three remaining games; Saints beat Falcons in Week 16; Saints lose to either the Bears or Bucs.

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