Although the Carolina Panthers entered the season with only one scheduled appearance on national television (Dec. 8 against Tampa Bay Dec. 8 on Monday Night Football), there's a decent chance they could end up with one or two more during the second half of the season.

   With the Panthers now 6-2, they've become a playoff contender and NBC, which televises Sunday night games, could decide to pounce on the Cardiac Cats and move them to the prime time slot at 8:15 p.m. as part of the NFL's flex scheduling plan. Flex scheduling begins in Week 11 (Nov. 16).

   It seems the best chances for games to be moved are these (all are road games): Nov. 23 at Atlanta, Nov. 30 at Green Bay, Dec. 21 at the New York Giants or Dec. 28 at New Orleans.

   Let's take a closer look at the possibilities:

   Nov. 16 vs. Detroit: Won't happen. Detroit is awful

   Nov. 23 at Atlanta: It's a possibility, although a small one. The game currently scheduled is Indianapolis vs. San Diego, but both of those teams are struggling. In some ways, NBC may want to keep that game since it could be an elimination game.

   Nov. 30 at Green Bay: A ha, now this could be a possibility, especially if Green Bay stays strong. The game currently slated for the prime time slot is Chicago (4-3) at Minnesota (3-4). They are average teams, while Carolina (6-2) vs. Green Bay (4-3) could translate into a better game, depending on what happens in the NFC North over the next few weeks. My God it would probably be cold in Green Bay that night.

   Dec. 8 vs . Tampa Bay: Can't happen. Panthers are locked into playing on Monday night.

   Dec. 14 vs. Denver: Won't happen. NBC has the New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys game scheduled here and that's like trading the Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees for the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Houston Astros. From a ratings standpoint that would just be stupid.

   Dec. 21 at N.Y. Giants: Possible. On the surface, this looks like a no-brainer as it could have huge playoff implications, possibly even determining the top seed in the NFC. (Don't be afraid to dream, Panther fans). However, NBC does have the Giants the week before, so I'm not sure if  they'll want them in back-to-back weeks. Then again, why not? The game currently slotted is San Diego at Tampa Bay, which is only intriguing if the Chargers (2-5) find a way to turn things around.

   Dec. 28 at New Orleans: This is possible, too -- if the Saints make a run. NBC doesn't currently have a game scheduled for this date (on purpose) and will pick one six days ahead of time based on playoff implicatons. If this game has playoff implications, it could be a possibility.

   NOTE: Just as the six major college football conferences have done for many years, the NFL will have the flexibility to move the start times of games on Sundays, using a 12-day notice format. For example, a game scheduled for a Sunday could move from a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff to an 8:15 p.m. start, but the change would be made and announced no later than the prior Tuesday (12 days before the game). It is only six days for the Week 17 game. Keep in mind that FOX and CBS have the right to "block" certain games from being moved, so that could play into some decisions, too.