Bodog Beat

Both the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos are looking to clinch their first playoff spots since 2005 on Sunday. (AP Images)

The road to that berth appears harder for the Panthers and it begins at home against one of the league's top offenses in the Broncos.

Carolina, who is a 7.5-point fave this week, is a game behind the New York Giants for the NFC's best record and will visit the defending Super Bowl champions next week before closing the regular season in New Orleans, which is 6-1 at home.

Even if the Broncos lose Sunday, their next two games are not overly tough, as both matchups are against teams with losing records.

Denver has won three in a row on the road, part of its current 4-1 stretch following a three-game losing streak.

Jay Cutler has keyed the turnaround, averaging 302.0 yards passing in the last five games while throwing eight touchdown passes and four interceptions. Get your NFL picks before the big game with Bodog.