Okay, so the Panthers didn’t beat the Giants to claim homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, no big deal.  Here’s some of my justifications for why it was a good thing that the Panthers lost to the Giants Sunday night:

1. Only one number one seed from both conferees have won the Super Bowl since 2000- Everyone talks about how important homefield advantage is in the playoffs, yet the Patriots of 2003 have been the only number one seed to win the Super Bowl in the last eight years.  In fact seven number one seeded teams have lost the Super Bowl, including last year’s Patriots.  The thing is while getting homefield advantage in the playoffs helps with winning at least one playoff game, but it in no way secures a Super Bowl win.  Just look at the Super Bowl winners the last three years: Giants No. 5,  Colts No. 3, and Steelers No.6.

2. Panthers will continue to fly under the radar- The Panthers played an excelent game Sunday, but they will continue to be overlooked because they lost to the Giants, something that suits this team very well.  Remember how the team seemed to crumble under the expectations they had back in 2006.  The Panthers are in no means out of it, and will secure the number two seed Sunday with a win.

3. Odds of Beating the Same team twice- I know this seems kind of stupid, but what are the odds that the Giants are going to be able to beat the Panthers twice in four weeks?  First off they may get a little over confident after their win Sunday, but let’s not forget that the Panthers were missing a key, key, element of their run defense, Maake Kemoeatu.  A lot of those big runs the Giants had could possibly have been stopped had the Panthers not been missing Kemo’s 345 pounds of bulk on the interior of their line.  In one of the few times all season, the Panthers defense lost a game for them, but don’t expect that to happen if these two teams meet again.

4. The Panthers have something to play for Sunday- If Carolin had beaten the Giants, they would have no reason to play their starters against the Saints on Sunday, effectively giving them a two week bye.  With the way in which the Panthers came out of their midseason bye week, it’s not all that unreasonable to worry about some coming out rusty after two weeks off.  Also seeing as the Panthers have never had a first round bye, this will be a new experience for them.

I must admit I was incredibly disappointed after that loss, but it was only a regular season game.  The Panthers still are going to make the playoffs, where Jake Delhomme and John Fox have an impressive 5-3 record.  We all know how Jake steps up his game in January, save for that game against the Seahawks were the Panthers were without a running back, and I expect him to do the same this January.  Honestly I thought the Panthers had the upper hand in the passing game Sunday, an area that may give them the edge the next time the Panthers and Giants meet.

One other note, I don’t know if you saw the Titans distastefully rubbing a terrible towel into the dirt after their win over the Steelers, but I bet you the Steelers are going to use that as a serious motivator and take it to the Titans in the AFC Championship.  Because of that I’d be willing to bet we’re going to see a Panthers Steelers Super Bowl.