Here's a look at the Panthers' place in the NFC playoff picture after their loss to Seattle. The Panthers remain at the top of the NFC South through 17 weeks and would be the No. 4 seed in the NFC if the season ended Sunday.

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference's seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized Sunday,

The final two weeks of the NFL season are going to be insanely nerve-wracking for the Carolina Panthers. First, the home finale is against the NFC's top-seeded