Thanks to the Dallas Cowboys, the Carolina Panthers can go into the Meadowlands with a little piece of security: they are going to the playoffs.

After a valiant comeback effort, the Cowboys succumbed to the Baltimore Ravens, 33-24, at the last game of Texas Stadium. Dallas took an early 7-0 lead on a fumble recovery, but they scored no points in the second and third quarters. They charged back with seventeen points in the fourth, but the Big D’s D had grown tired from shutting down the Ravens’ running game. While containing them most of the night, Dallas allowed two big touchdown runs late, to seal their fate.

The Cowboys now need to beat Philadelphia, and also must rely on Atlanta and Tampa Bay to lose, as well as other scenarios. Ergo, they don’t wholly control their destiny anymore.

That, however, is a positive for the Panthers; this evening’s showdown at the swamp has gargantuan importance, and now Carolina at least knows they are in the postseason. With the loss of OL Keydrick Vincent to IR, and DT Maake Kemoeatu hobbled, the Cats needed some good news to take into East Rutherford.