CHARLOTTE – With each passing win, the games get bigger and the noise grows louder.
With Carolina (7-0) hosting the Green Bay Packers (6-1) on Sunday, there's been talk of playoff implications, home-field advantage in January and revenge after last season's 38-17 defeat.
For head coach Ron Rivera, it becomes harder to keep his team locked in on the "one game at a time," "they all count the same" mentality.
"I'll stick to my mantra that this is the most important game we'll play because we're about to play it," Rivera said. "But I think the players understand what's at stake.
"It could have implications in January, but we'll focus on what it means now."
Right now, the NFC South-leading Panthers, still in search of that elusive complete game, are trying to improve to 8-0 and maintain their distance in the division race.
But it's impossible to ignore the storylines surrounding Week 9. Team captain Greg Olsen and other leaders acknowledge them, but that's about as far as it goes.
"All those things – those playoff scenarios – they're really irrelevant to us," Olsen said. "We aren't trying to predict how the next six weeks are going to unveil for every team in the NFC. We're trying to win our game."
Winning requires the Panthers to outplay a talented Packers team with Super Bowl caliber credentials led by the league's reigning Most Valuable Player, quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"They've been one of the traditional powers in the NFC for a reason," Olsen said.
Said Rivera: "They're a good football team with a potential Hall of Fame quarterback and some playmakers with an aggressive style and an attacking defense. We had trouble last year."
Last year's blowout loss may not be fueling Carolina this week, but at the very least it serves as a reminder of what can happen if you aren't at your best against Green Bay.
"Those guys had our number," defensive tackle Kawann Short said. "We feel we are a better team this year. We feel we can give those guys a go."
Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers drops back during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers runs for a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers' Jordy Nelson (87) is congratulated by teammate Randall Cobb after Nelson's touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy congratulates Eddie Lacy (27) after a touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Nick Perry (53) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb (18) tries to get past Carolina Panthers' Charles Godfrey after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' James Starks (44) gets past Carolina Panthers' Thomas DeCoud for a touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb gets past Carolina Panthers' Melvin White (23) for a 3-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin goes up for a pass against Green Bay Packers' Tramon Williams (38) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Casey Hayward (29) and Morgan Burnett celebrate a fourth and short stop during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb catches a pass in front of Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Davante Adams (17) gets past Carolina Panthers' Roman Harper (41) for a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Davante Adams celebrates his touchdown catch with fans during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Casey Hayward celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly is confronted by back judge Steve Freeman during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. Kuechly was ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera argues after Luke Kuechly was ejected from the game during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton pauses during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Carolina Panthers' Charles Johnson and A.J. Klein on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 38-17. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
