CHARLOTTE — Congratulations. If you're reading about, writing about, or watching football today, consider yourself among the most fortunate 1 percent of all human beings who have ever lived.

And in the particular context of the Carolina Panthers, that's true, too.

From some of the mail that landed in the aftermath of Monday's loss to the 49ers, you'd think this place was cursed, and that the coming winter would only bring starvation and suffering.

On the other hand, the Panthers are also 6-6 and a half-game out of the division lead on Thanksgiving. For a team that was days away from a coaching change en route to a 2-15 record two Thanksgivings ago, that seems kind of groovy by comparison.

Friends, that's a metaphorical tribe of indigenous people bringing you a feast to enjoy, if you're

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