When it comes to the Panthers, is it too soon to use the "p" word?

If you don't know what the "p" word is, ask former Colts head coach Jim Mora, who infamously shouted the words "PLAYOFFS?!" Don't talk about playoffs!" when a reporter dared to ask him about his team's chances of making the "p" word.

For the rest of this story, we're going to use the word. So if that alarms you, this is your final warning.

Is it too soon to discuss playoff possibilities for the Panthers? Well, it depends on whom you ask. Because there's a large faction of people who feel — a lot like with playing Christmas music — early November is still way too early for that.

Also, in Carolina's case, it is tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the NFL's second-longest playoff drought — the Jets have the longest streak of missing the postseason — with seven consecutive losing seasons.

The Panthers' last postseason appearance was a wild-card loss in New Orleans to cap the 2017 season. Since then, Carolina has made three head coaching changes and played musical chairs at quarterback several times. 

But you could also argue the more time that passes between playoff games, the more excited a fanbase can get at merely the idea of snapping the lengthy skid. Plus, if it's not too early for TV networks — shoutout to NFL Network — to post the playoff picture graphic that includes teams "in the hunt," then it shouldn't be too early for us to discuss it, right? Right?

If you look at the current NFC standings, Carolina is just a half-game back of the Lions and Bears, who are currently tied for the league's seventh-best record at 5-3. While the Panthers are 1.5 games back of the 6-2 Buccaneers in NFC South chase, none of their two annual meetings have been played yet.

If Carolina really wants to be taken seriously as a playoff team, it has a golden opportunity over the next two weeks. First, the Panthers host the 1-8 Saints on Sunday and then face the Falcons, who Carolina has already beaten 30-0 earlier this season.

If you look at the current NFC standings, Carolina is just a half-game back of the Lions and Bears, who are currently tied for the league's seventh-best record at 5-3. While the Panthers are 1.5 games back of the 6-2 Buccaneers in NFC South chase, none of their two annual meetings have been played yet.

If Carolina really wants to be taken seriously as a playoff team, it has a golden opportunity over the next two weeks. First, the Panthers host the 1-8 Saints on Sunday and then face the Falcons, who Carolina has already beaten 30-0 earlier this season.

Winning those two games would improve the Panthers' record to 7-4 — with a perfect, 3-0 record in divisional matchups — heading into a Monday night showdown at the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 24.

In that scenario, it would be completely appropriate to associate the "p" word with this football team.