No matter what your level of respect for the Panthers is at this point, there is nonetheless a more objective reason why their 8-0 start could indeed help their chances at a postseason run. They now hold a two-game edge over everyone for home-field advantage in the NFC -- and they have a reasonable slate of games ahead. In the next three weeks, Carolina plays the Titans, Redskins and Cowboys -- three teams with less combined wins than the Panthers currently have. That means, if they can keep rolling, an 11-0 start is a perfectly reasonable expectation.