The Carolina Panthers suddenly have sole possession of first place in the NFC South -- and they didn't have to do a thing on Sunday.

   By virtue of Tampa Bay's loss to Detroit, the Panthers (4-2) pulled a half-game ahead of the Bucs (4-3). New Orleans is slowly trying to creap up from behind with two straight wins after an 0-4 start. And Atlanta, well their season ended before it ever began.

   What this means, of course, is the Panthers control their own destiny in the NFC South entering yet another home game -- and that has never been a good situation for John Fox's team of late.

   It seems that anytime the Panthers are put in that situation of late, they lose. It won't be very easy to end that trend this week when the Panthers host the Super Bowl champion Colts. The one thing the Panthers have going for them is the unbeaten Colts have to travel after a short week. They play tonight on ESPN.

   However, the Panthers are 0-2 at home this year and have lost their last four games at Bank of America Stadium by a combined score of 118-44.