Ever since the league went to 32 teams, NFL teams know 14 of the 16 teams they will face the following season, and the season after that and so on...  But two games, both within the conference, are determined each year by where you finish in the division.

   This year, all NFC South teams played one game each against the NFC North and the NFC East. it works like this: the first place team in the NFC South plays the first place team in the NFC North and NFC East. The second place team in the NFC South plays the second place team in the NFC North and East, and so on.

   Well, as it turns out, finishing second in the division in 2006 has really cost the Panthers this year.

   They drew the Dallas Cowboys (9-1) from the East and the Green Bay Packers (9-1) from the North. It turns out the Packers and Cowboys are the toughest teams in the conference, which has makes Carolina's schedule just a little tougher than their division foes. 

   New Orleans, which actually won the division last year, drew Philadelphia and Chicago, two of the league's more disappointing teams. Atlanta, which finished third in the division last year, got the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. And Tampa Bay, which finished dead last a year ago, drew Washington and Detroit.