Prior to Seattle’s win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, the Panthers were being given a 5% chance to make the playoffs. Following that game, those odds increased slightly with publications giving the Panthers anywhere between 9% and 15% likelihood to sneak into the playoffs.
“We have a chance. Five percent. That’s what they’re giving us, so that’s what we’ll take,” Rivera said Tuesday morning after sharing that message with his team. “I thought the guys responded well, but we’ll see.”
The Vikings loss trimmed their lead over the Panthers to just half a game. Although the odds have improved, the Panthers still face a tall order as they face the New Orleans Saints twice in the last three remaining games. In a season reminiscent of the 2014 season where the Panthers rallied after a six-game losing streak to make it to postseason play, Rivera says that this team has what it takes to respond favorably to this set of circumstances and pull it off.
“Some guys thrive on it; some guys don’t. We’ll see,” he said.
The Panthers (6-7) will host the Saints (11-2) for Monday Night Football.
