Sports Betting..... Carolina Panthers - NFL Teams Page...

The Carolina Panthers pounced into the playoffs in style today. DeShaun Foster charged 70 yards for the longest touchdown run in the eleven year history of Carolina and finished with 165 in total - to rout Atlanta 44-11.

Carolina have now taken one of the two NFC playoff spots still available going into Week 17, settling for a wild card as the Bucs won the South Division title with a win over New Orleans.

Carolina made it look easy against Atlanta, who collapsed in the second half and extended a poor streak with only two wins in their final eight games, They have now missed the playoffs but also opened the door to the possibility that the franchise might post back to back losing seasons for the first time in their forty year history.

A few of the Panthers' regulars should be available for Sunday's key game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - after injury. Dan Morgan and Julius Peppers returned to practice on Thursday. Morgan looked good on the practice field and should be ready. Tutan Reyes was back to work Thursday, along with special teams man Karl Hankton. But they are still without Mike Rucker and Michael Gaines. Rucker remains questionable after hurting his ankle.

Rucker was a key factor in Carolina's 34-14 win over Atlanta, with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to be nomonated NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Al Wallace would get the start if Rucker can not play on Sunday.

In the meantime, DeShaun Foster has become the Panthers' spotlight back, rushing for 131 yards on 24 carries last week and picking up over 180 all-purpose yards - scoring twice in a 24-6 win over the Falcons. Carolina are looking for more offense from Foster when they host the Buccaneers.

The Panthers, on their own turf, are 6 point favorites on the spreads at -6.

A few of the Panthers' regulars should be available for Sunday's key game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - after injury. Dan Morgan and Julius Peppers returned to practice on Thursday. Morgan looked good on the practice field and should be ready. Tutan Reyes was back to work Thursday, along with special teams man Karl Hankton. But they are still without Mike Rucker and Michael Gaines. Rucker remains questionable after hurting his ankle.

Rucker was a key factor in Carolina's 34-14 win over Atlanta, with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to be nomonated NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Al Wallace would get the start if Rucker can not play on Sunday.

In the meantime, DeShaun Foster has become the Panthers' spotlight back, rushing for 131 yards on 24 carries last week and picking up over 180 all-purpose yards - scoring twice in a 24-6 win over the Falcons. Carolina are looking for more offense from Foster when they host the Buccaneers.