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Carolina Panthers’ 5 Potential Playoff Opponents In 2015

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Carolina Panthers’ 5 Potential Playoff Opponents In 2015

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers had an interesting 2014 season. They ended up 7-8-1 but won the horrendous NFC South, beating out the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Then, they even won a playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals before falling short to the Seattle Seahawks. The Panthers will look make a solid run again, and with a good chance at doing that, here are five potential playoff opponents Carolina could face in 2015.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks copy
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5. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks
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The Seahawks are probably still the favorite to win the NFC in 2015, but being in the toughest division in the NFL, there is a chance they could get beat out and be a Wild Card team. If that happened, Carolina could easily face them. The odds are in Seattle's favor to capture a first-round bye, but there is still the slight chance these teams could meet again.

4. Green Bay Packers

5 Opponents the Green Bay Packers Need to Beat in 2015
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4. Green Bay Packers

5 Opponents the Green Bay Packers Need to Beat in 2015
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The Packers are probably the second most likely to win the NFC and get a first-round bye, so it will be tough for Carolina to play them in the playoffs but not out of the question. As long as Aaron Rodgers is leading the Pack, they'll be in contention for a Super Bowl, so that means there's a chance Carolina will have to go through them.

3. Dallas Cowboys

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Otto Gruele Jr - Getty Images

3. Dallas Cowboys

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Otto Gruele Jr - Getty Images

With all of the issues surrounding the New York Giants and Washington Redskins and the quarterback situation with the Philadelphia Eagles, it appears the NFC East is the Cowboys' division to lose. They'll likely win it again but not have a first-round bye, so there's a good chance these two could match up in the first round in 2015.

2. Arizona Cardinals

Kansas City Chiefs v Arizona Cardinals
Christian Petersen - Getty Images

2. Arizona Cardinals

Kansas City Chiefs v Arizona Cardinals
Christian Petersen - Getty Images

The Arizona Cardinals will get Carson Palmer back next season, and assuming he is healthy, they should be making another playoff run. I don't think they will have quite as good a season as 2014, so they will probably fall behind Seattle again but still make the playoffs. The Panthers could have another playoff rematch on their hands in 2015.

1. Detroit Lions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions
Gregory Shamus - Getty Images

1. Detroit Lions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions
Gregory Shamus - Getty Images

The Lions finally ended up breaking the barrier and getting in the playoffs in 2014. I expect the same with the lack of depth beyond the top six teams in the NFC. I don't think they will beat out the Packers, so that lands them and Carolina in the Wild Card. With the Cardinals having a better chance to win the NFC West than the Lions in the NFC North, I'd say the Panthers will most likely face the Lions in the first round of 2015.

Brian Brennan is a writer for RantSports.
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