With a win or tie Sunday against the Saints at the Superdome or a loss or tie by Atlanta (10-5), the Panthers can claim the division crown for the second time under Coach John Fox, who entered the season with his derriere to the fire.

There is more to the story, however. A Panthers loss and a Falcons victory at home against the lowly St. Louis Rams (2-13) would give Atlanta the title and drop the Panthers from the No. 2 seed to wild-card status as the fifth seed.

"It would be awful not to get that first-round bye," Panthers Pro Bowl-bound linebacker Jon Beason said. "I think we owe it to ourselves to finish off what we have done this season."

LAST TIME

The Panthers waxed the Saints 30-7 on Oct. 19 in Week 7 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. In the words of Saints Coach Sean Payton, "We got beat in every area." The Panthers lead the series 15-12, including 9-4 under Fox.

Panthers ON OFFENSE

Former Saints quarterback Jake Delhomme (14 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions) has had the kind of season that might get him benched if not for the NFL's fourth-ranked ground game (146.9 yards per game) led by DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart, a.k.a. "Smash & Dash." Williams ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing with 1,337 yards and 18 touchdowns (plus two receiving touchdowns); Stewart has contributed 780 yards and nine touchdowns. Deep threat Steve Smith has been a thorn in the Saints' side since becoming a full-time starter in 2002. He is fourth in the NFL in yards receiving with 1,287. Six of his 73 catches have gone for touchdowns. In the first game against the Saints, he had six catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. Muhsin Muhammad has 58 catches for 844 yards and four touchdowns.

Panthers DEFENSE

This unit is smarting after yielding 459 yards (301 rushing) in a 34-28 overtime loss to the New York Giants on Sunday night. Thus, its No. 13 ranking overall in the NFL (325.5 ypg) is somewhat skewed. Defensive end Julius Peppers (13.5 sacks, 48 tackles, five forced fumbles) and middle linebacker Jon Beason (team-high 136 tackles, three interceptions, one fumble recovery) are the heart and soul of this unit. Outside linebacker Thomas Davis (107 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one fumble recovery) and cornerback Chris Gamble (88 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries) also play major roles. Only one pass interference penalty has been called against the Panthers' defense this season, that coming against cornerback Ken Lucas against the Giants. The status of defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu (sprained ankle) will be determined later in the week. Backup DT Gary Gibson was placed on IR with a hand injury and J'Vonne Parker signed off Atlanta's practice squad to fill the void.

Panthers SPECIAL TEAMS

If the usually-reliable John Kasay had made a 50-yard field-goal attempt with four seconds remaining in regulation against the Giants, the Panthers would be approaching Sunday's game with an entirely different mind-set. But he missed wide left in swirling 20-mph winds, and the Panthers don't have the luxury of phoning it in. "It would have been nice, but this is not a fairy tale," Kasay said. "(Football) can be cruel sometimes. That is why you try to take advantage of the opportunity when you get it." Kasay has converted 24 of 26 field-goal attempts, including 1-of-3 from 50 yards and beyond. Jason Baker is averaging 44.7 yards on punts, with a net of 37.7 yards and 29 downed inside the 20. Mark Jones handles both return duties, averaging 24.2 yards on kickoffs and 11.6 yards on punts.

FYI

The Panthers have never lost to the Saints in Louisiana under Fox (5-0 at the Superdome, 1-0 at Tiger Stadium in 2005).

BY THE NUMBERS

7-2 -- Carolina's record with Delhomme at quarterback against the Saints, including 4-0 in games at the Superdome.

WORTH REPEATING

"It's very disappointing, but we're still in the dance." -- Panthers defensive tackle Damione Lewis after losing the game and a first-round seed in the NFC to the Giants.

-- By Brian Allee-Walsh, staff writer