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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Anthony Rizzuti

Watch: Steve Smith gives impassioned endorsement for Panthers’ playoff push

If you needed one person to make an intense, spirited speech about the Carolina Panthers, then who would you look to? Yeah, you bet your rear it’s Steve Smith.

Prior to kickoff of the Week 11 matchup between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, the Fox Network desk was asked which NFC team has the best chance of stealing a wild card spot. Smith—a connoisseur of passion, vocalization and the Panthers—did his thing . . .

Even in the middle of a roller coaster campaign that has them sitting at 5-5, Carolina is currently in possession of the conference’s final playoff ticket. Their hold on that No. 7 seed, however, will be challenged by a handful of nearby squads such as the 4-win Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Smitty, however, thinks the Panthers have what it takes to stave off the field. Between their elite defense, which has allowed the second-fewest yards per game thus far (280.7), and what’s begun to cook on offense with quarterback Cam Newton—these cats have him thinking, “We back.”

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