CHARLOTTE — Football players are notorious for remaining singularly focused, taking games week by week, going "1-and-0" so as not to get distracted or look ahead.

The Carolina Panthers are going to stretch that mental fortitude from now through the end of the season, as their mettle is tested by one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league.

"It's playoff every week," said defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson , with his patented intensity that leaves no room for argument. "It's playoff time, so that's how we take it."

The Panthers are firmly in the division race, half a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with both teams sitting at six wins and big NFC West prime time matchups for both clubs this weekend (the Bucs face the Rams on Sunday night). ESPN has given Carolina a 22.1

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