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5 Opponents the Carolina Panthers Need To Beat In 2015

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5 Opponents the Carolina Panthers Need To Beat In 2015

Cleveland Browns v Carolina Panthers
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In a short NFL season, every game is big. The Carolina Panthers will look to make it a third straight NFC South championship and playoff appearance in 2015. Here are the top five teams they need to beat in 2015 in order to accomplish that.

5. Seattle Seahawks

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5. Seattle Seahawks

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Beating the best teams is always a big momentum boost. Seattle is the best team in the NFC, and they have beaten Carolina four times in the past three seasons. Carolina will hope to make a run at a first-round bye like they did in 2013 and beating Seattle will be a big stepping stone towards that.

4. Green Bay Packers

Minnesota Vikings v Green Bay Packers
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4. Green Bay Packers

Minnesota Vikings v Green Bay Packers
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Aaron Rodgers and the Packers demolished the Panthers in 2014. They'll face off again in 2015, and Carolina will want to make up for that. Beating a perennial playoff team is never a bad thing, so the Panthers will be motivated to beat the Packers next season.

3. Dallas Cowboys

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3. Dallas Cowboys

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas is another likely playoff team in 2015, and they'll be another team standing in Carolina's way. The Cowboys want to prove they aren't a one-and-done team, and they will provide a big test for the Panthers.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons
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2. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons
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The Falcons are the Panthers' biggest rival, so beating them is always a big boost. Plus, I believe 2015 will show another tight race between the two for the NFC South championship. These teams meet twice a year, so beating the Falcons at least once is essential for the Panthers.

1. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints
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1. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints
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I think it will be a battle among the Panthers, Falcons and New Orleans Saints for the NFC South championship. In the long run I expect it to come down to the Panthers and Saints. The Saints have always had good home-field advantage and these teams seemingly always meet at the end of the season, so beating the Saints could end up being a division clincher.

Brian Brennan is a writer for RantSports.
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