CHARLOTTE — That was a good one for a lot of people.

It's also important to remember it was one.

And that's the trick about the balance of being a sports player or a sports fan. Each of these things is precious and meaningful to those who participate in whatever fashion. So attaching the appropriate amount of significance to each one of these events is important in how you react to them.

When the Panthers walked into Bank of America Stadium Sunday morning, they weren't doomed to a certain 0-17. When they walked out after shutting out the Falcons 30-0, they weren't guaranteed a trip to the Super Bowl. In many ways, they're the same team — a team that's improving and learning how to win and how to do it more often.

At the same time, it was one that a lot of people needed, and it's worth

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