Carolina refuses to accept idea that major pressure is on them

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As the Carolina Panthers talked about today’s game with Atlanta, it sounded as if they were in denial.

They’re playing what would seem to be a pressure-filled game, needing a win to clinch a playoff berth.

Yet, somehow, as they head to the Georgia Dome, where they’ve won only once – and that was in 1997 – the Panthers say there is no pressure.

“(Coach John Fox) says it all the time, ‘You either feel pressure or you apply it,’ “quarterback Jake Delhomme said. “You’ve got to apply it. You can’t feel it. You have to go out and play.”

But how can the Panthers not feel pressure? Picked by Sports Illustrated to win the Super Bowl, they could end up not making the postseason. They could lose and still get in, if Washington or Dallas loses. But the only sure way into the playoffs is to beat the Falcons.

That’s never been easy. The Panthers have lost nine of their past 11 to Atlanta and are 1-5 against Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.

An entire season comes down to one game.

“That’s not pressure,” said safety Mike Minter.

If that’s not pressure, then what is?

“Pressure, man, is like it’s in the fourth quarter and they’re driving and they’re at the 1-yard line and you’ve got to stop them four times,” Minter said. “That’s some pressure right there. But this one, coming in, that’s no pressure. If we go out and execute, we won’t have to get in that situation.”

If you want to talk pressure

“You’re talking to the wrong guy,” Delhomme said.

Or the wrong team.

“I feel great about our position because we don’t have to worry about, ‘Let’s try to win and then hope that this happens and that happens,’ ” Delhomme said. “We’ve got to go get a win, some kind of a way. If we get a win, that means our foot’s in the door. And once your foot’s in the door, it’s a whole new ball game. We just have to worry about us.”