here's what you have to do as a Panthers fan

The Panthers can clinch a playoff spot this week with a win over the Saints and some help from other teams.

It's certainly been a while since we could have this conversation, but here goes...

Carolina can clinch a guaranteed playoff spot this week if the following events occur:

1. The Panthers defeat the Saints.

2. The Cardinals lose to the Rams.

3. The 49ers lose to the Seahawks.

4. The Eagles lose to or tie* with the Lions.

5. The Cowboys lose to or tie* with the Bears.

* - Note: If both the Eagles and Cowboys tie, the Panthers don't clinch a playoff spot.

So, here's what you have to do as a Panthers fan:

Root for the Panthers (duh), Rams, Seahawks and Lions to all win on Sunday, and the Bears to win on Monday. If all of these teams help us out by winning, we can celebrate our first playoff berth since 2008.

And if all five of those things don't happen, then look on the bright side - we can just clinch a spot in Week 15.