What happened: The Carolina Panthers continue to work through an extended franchise drought, with their last widely recognized successful campaign dating back to 2009. The organization has experienced frequent rebuilding cycles over the past two decades while attempting to establish consistent winning form.

Why it matters: Carolina remains in the thick of the division race despite its historical struggles, sitting tied for first place in the NFC South. The team stayed atop the division hunt even after dropping a 26-21 decision to Denver on Nov. 8. Navigating the upcoming stretch will dictate whether the club can finally snap its prolonged postseason dry spell.

What to watch: Carolina enters Week 10 aiming to halt its two-game slide and protect its share of the NFC South lead.