The Cam Newton-led Panthers, runaway winners of the NFC
South, routed the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 and are two games better
than the 11-2 Arizona Cardinals in the NFC standings.
The top two teams in each conference receive a first-round
playoff bye, a significant advantage in a league that uses a
cut-throat, single elimination postseason format.
The Cardinals, who lead the NFC West, are the only other NFC
team assured of a playoff berth at this point.
No AFC team has clinched a playoff spot yet.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by
Larry Fine)
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