The Panthers can’t clinch a playoff berth this week, or be eliminated, but they can take a significant step in that direction Sunday against the Buccaneers.
With a win this week, the Panthers can win the NFC South with another win over the Bucs in Week 18, or based on combinations of results involving the Week 17 game against the Seahawks and Tampa Bay’s game at Miami. (You can read the full breakdown of the playoff possibilities here.)
But on Wednesday, the Panthers were having a walk-through, a slower-paced practice that doesn’t involve pads or hitting or the normal things that get guys’ attention. And even in that environment, quarterback Bryce Young said he could tell guys got the message.
“We have a group of guys that are doing a great job with being focused and being motivated,” Young said. “You know, walk-throughs I think are always a really good especially a Wednesday walk-through you’re kind of back after the day off and a little bit of time away from being on the field together. And again, it’s a walk-through tempo, so I think kind of in between the huddle, seeing how quickly guys get back, hearing what the conversation is, is it all on topic, are all the guys that are standing behind getting in there, how focused is everyone. And I’m super grateful and super proud of this team. We do a really good job of that, of being focused.
“I thought it was a good day today, but you know it’s Wednesday, so we have to continue to be consistent, have to build. I have to go back after this and watch the film, get ready to grow from it, and then have a good Thursday tomorrow.”