CHARLOTTE — The last time the Panthers were in this building, they could feel the noise on the field.

Even during a driving rain, fans were into it all day during the win over the Rams, and players and coaches alike recognized the value that came from all around them.

And they're looking for a repeat today.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales pointed back to Derrick Brown's game-sealing strip-sack against the Rams in Week 13 and had an explicit request for the fans in Bank of America Stadium today.

"Show up, be loud," Canales said this week during Panther Talk. "I loved the energy that we had at the Rams game. You know, it was cold and rainy. We're expecting some beautiful weather. It's going to be in the 60s. We're going to come out and bring our best and, just a great division matchup exactly how we want it.

"The environment's going to be beautiful, and we need you. We need all the fans to come out. We need that impact. I know it was an impact on that third down against the Rams, we got a sack-fumble right there to seal the game and there was an advantage there because of the noise and we got a jump on the rush and a nice stunt inside and all that stuff matters."

If fans need a tangible reminder today, all they have to do is look at their seats, since 73,000 rally towels with the "GET LOUD" message were put on every chair in the stadium.

Of course, the Panthers have done their part by making it meaningful. That win over the Rams propelled them to this situation, where they have three crucial games coming down the stretch, two of them here.

The Panthers can't clinch a playoff berth today (or be eliminated, and you can read the full breakdown here), but they can take a big step toward their first home game since 2015 with a win today. That means this game has stakes, in a way they haven't experienced in years, really, since the Christmas Eve game against the Lions in 2022, when it was 20 degrees at kickoff and the Panthers pummeled the Lions into submission.

Since then, the atmosphere has followed results, as the Panthers were 5-12 at home the last two seasons. But this year they're 4-2 at Bank of America Stadium, and heard the difference against the Rams in Week 13.

"It was pretty good the other week when we played the Rams, it was definitely pretty loud," Brown said with a nod. "I don't really remember many, many times the stadium being super loud like that, but that's probably the last time I remember."

When asked about that Lions game in 2022, Brown laughed. "I remember it was 7 or 8 degrees at kickoff. I do remember that. That's about it."

While players will be locked in on their jobs — and again, the play on the field has dictated the noise this year, it's not the kind of thing you can order online and just expect it to show up. But players clearly relish it.

"Do the same thing," cornerback Jaycee Horn said when asked what he'd tell fans. "Just show up and show out, and we're going to try to do the same thing."

Of course, the main thing is still the main thing, as they're trying to beat the Buccaneers for the first time since 2022 as well. And with the progress the team has made this year, they're trying to set the stage for future atmosphere and success.

"The biggest thing I could take away from this year, even though obviously we're not finished yet, is I feel like we definitely progressed as a team," running back Chuba Hubbard said. "Obviously, last year was our first go at it. This year, we're starting to put it together even more and more, but I know as time goes on, we'll just continue to build off this.

"So seeing the process come to light and all the hard work and effort come to light, it's a good feeling because I'll be honest, like every single person on this team deserves it as well as Carolina."

For the guys who have been around for years, the memories of big-game atmospheres here have been creeping back.

Senior defensive assistant Dom Capers laughed and remembered wondering where his team was after the 1996 playoff win over the Cowboys — and he couldn't find them because they went back onto the field to high-five fans to thank them for their support.

Former tight end and current FOX broadcaster Greg Olsen said that during the team's glory years, the team fed off the passion.

"I mean, when we were rolling, and that place was full every Sunday," Olsen said. "The atmosphere around the stadium, the atmosphere around the team was second to none."

And elder long snapper JJ Jansen broke into a broad grin when asked about some of the memorable ones, and since he's seen more than anyone — as he's about to play his 275th game here — he remembers them well as he starts rattling off the memorable ones.

"Oh, a couple come to mind," he began. "In 2013, New Orleans, Domenik Hixon in the front pylon. Most of the fourth quarter of the Arizona NFC Championship Game in 2015. I would probably say the Luke Kuechly interception to make it 14-0 to start the divisional round. Jonathan Stewart's run to start that game was equally loud.

"And then I'd probably say the one other that I can remember, I just remember the scenario, so I imagine it was really loud. Cam Newton's big run in 2017 against Minnesota, 60-some yards, those were some pretty darn loud times."

And today, they're hoping to add to that list.