The Panthers are perfectly positioned to earn their most significant win this decade on Sunday.

After all, the trends certainly aren't pointing towards the visiting Buccaneers, who have lost five of their last six games. Tampa once sat with a 6-2 record, but is now tied with Carolina for the lead in the NFC South with three weeks remaining in the season.

Meanwhile, Carolina has not lost consecutive games since opening up 0-2 in September. Of course, the Panthers will hope that stat continues to stay true following a last-second defeat at New Orleans.

One lesson that could be gleamed from last weekend's heartbreak in Big Easy is that Carolina has a tendency to both play up and down to its competition. While being swept by the Saints is ugly, the Panthers have proven to rise to the occasion in marquee matchups. 

Bank of America Stadium was packed when the Dallas Cowboys visited Charlotte and Carolina won on a last-second kick. The road trip to Lambeau Field was a measuring-stick spot and — once again — the Panthers earned a win as time expired. Then there was the home game against the Rams, who absorbed a loss in the Uptown Charlotte rain. 

As important as those victories felt, none of them would compare to what beating the Bucs would mean this weekend. Carolina would grab a stranglehold of the NFC South with a win. It would also avoid having to upset both 12-3 Seattle and the divisional rematch in Tampa to close the season.

The Panthers should have a real home-field advantage on Sunday, too.

The stadium is expected to be near a sellout. According to Seat Geek, the cheapest tickets in the upper deck are being sold for about $100. Unlike prior home games against Dallas and Buffalo, the building won't be packed with fans rooting on the visitors. It also helps turnout when the forecast features temperatures in the 60s and sunny skies. 

Despite all these trends, which include Carolina having a 4-2 record at home, the Bucs still remain favored to win the game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.