Fox makes sure Panthers don't look past Atlanta

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox went to bed Sunday night with the realization that if the NFL season ended right now, his once left-for-dead team would be the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs.<br> <br> But on Monday morning Fox refused to lend that scenario any credence at all, especially with three games left to play.<br> <br> ``That&#39;s really not reality,&#39;&#39; Fox said. ``Unfortunately, the season didn&#39;t end today, and we&#39;ve got three games left, including a very tough game Saturday night at Atlanta, which just clinched the NFC South. That&#39;s where all our focus is at this point.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Even if the Panthers (6-7) were to beat the Falcons in the Georgia Dome, a place where they&#39;re just 1-8, they could still drop out of the second wild card spot.<br> <br> That scenario exists if St. Louis (6-7) beats Arizona, Seattle (7-6) loses to the New York Jets and Minnesota defeats Detroit.<br> <br> If all that happens, the Rams would take over first place in the NFC West and drop the Seahawks into a wild card spot. The Vikings would get the first wild card spot, while the Seahawks would capture second spot because they&#39;ve defeated the Panthers head-to-head.<br> <br> Fox prefers to focus his energy on preparing his team for Michael Vick and the Falcons, who beat the Panthers 27-10 at Bank of America Stadium earlier this year.<br> <br> But make no doubt about it, Fox is quite proud that his team has battled back from a 1-7 start.<br> <br> ``They&#39;ve hung together,&#39;&#39; Fox said. ``It took awhile for us to find ourselves as a football team. We had so many changes. Once we did, this game&#39;s about confidence, and momentum. Right now, we&#39;re playing at a high level.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Ever since Fox has arrived in Carolina, the Panthers have been a streaky team.<br> <br> In 2002, the Panthers won their first three games only to lose the next eight. They won four of their next five to get back to 7-9.<br> <br> That set the stage for last year&#39;s Super Bowl season where the Panthers won their first five games but then, while trying to wrap up the NFC South, lost three straight late in the season. The Panthers rebounded and won their next six games, including three in the NFC playoffs, before losing to New England in the Super Bowl.<br> <br> With five straight wins this year, the Panthers are on the verge of erasing a six-game losing streak that began when they were 1-1.<br> <br> ``How you deal with adversity and prosperity kind of defines you,&#39;&#39; Fox said. ``We fought through it, guys kept swinging their sword, and we fought our way back into this.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Still there remain questions about the legitimacy of this Carolina team, one that has placed 15 players on injured reserve including stars Stephen Davis, Steve Smith, DeShaun Foster and Kris Jenkins.<br> <br> Of Carolina&#39;s five straight victories, none has come against a team with a winning record.<br> <br> That&#39;s why many believe Saturday night&#39;s game against the Falcons will be a huge litmus test for the Panthers.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m sure people on the outside will make a big deal out of it,&#39;&#39; Fox said. ``It&#39;s another tough game for us, and it&#39;s on the road. They&#39;re probably filling their house now. It&#39;ll be loud, and a hostile environment, and it&#39;s going to be great challenge for us.&#39;&#39;