Panthers hope pieces fall together for playoff berth

Carolina needs three things to happen gain a playoff spot in the NFC.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme might miss the New York Giants-Washington matchup tonight that's crucial to the Panthers' playoff hopes.
But picking up the hard-to-get NFL Network at his New Orleans hotel could be the least of his worries this weekend as the Panthers try to earn an unlikely playoff berth.
"We could have put ourselves in a position where we control our own destiny," linebacker Chris Draft said. "But we didn't, so we have to take what they give us."
Carolina (7-8) needs three things to happen to break out of a five-way tie for the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC: a Giants loss to the Redskins, a win over New Orleans on Sunday afternoon, and a Green Bay loss to Chicago that night.
Less than two weeks ago, when the Panthers were embarrassed at home by Pittsburgh 37-3 for their fourth straight loss, few could have predicted they'd still be in the playoff race heading into the final weekend of the regular season. But the Panthers found their running game and stepped up on defense in last Sunday's 10-3 win in Atlanta. Then they got plenty of help from other teams.
"This season has been so crazy that even with the average record we have, we still have a chance to play in the playoffs," cornerback Ken Lucas said. "If you didn't know any better and if you were in the locker room on Sunday, you would have thought we won the Super Bowl. It felt pretty good to finally get a win."
Delhomme set to return
Now, after missing three games with a sprained thumb, Delhomme appears set to return -- and the Panthers have hope.
"We don't control our own destiny and it's nobody's fault but ours," Delhomme said. "We'd love to somehow slide in, but we'll know Saturday night if there's more of a chance."
That's when the nervousness begins. Panthers officials have been working with their hotel in New Orleans to get the NFL Network -- unavailable on many cable systems -- piped into a team meeting room so players can watch the Giants-Redskins game.
And perhaps it's fitting in this bizarre season that the Panthers will be rooting for regional rival Washington.
If the Redskins win, the Panthers would still be alive heading into their matchup with the Saints. New Orleans (10-5) has already clinched the No. 2 seed and a bye in the first round of the playoffs, so it's possible coach Sean Payton could rest some starters, giving the Panthers a better chance.
"I expect that somewhere around halftime they may adjust people and there will be some special characters who will be out before halftime," Panthers coach John Fox said Friday.
If the Panthers beat the Saints and are still alive, they would probably huddle around television sets back in Charlotte on Sunday night, rooting for the Bears to beat the Packers.
That's the best-case scenario.
"We had opportunities that we squandered," Draft said, "so we'll get what we deserve."
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