CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In what he called a weak moment on Monday, Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera looked ahead on the schedule.

The man who has drilled into his players not to look past the next game, looked at the next five. He took a macro look at the season instead of the micro look that has defined him.

He did so because he felt it was important that his players understood that despite a 3-7-1 record, despite having lost five straight games and winning only once in the past nine, they still have a chance at the playoffs.

Why? Because they are only one game back of Atlanta (4-6) and New Orleans (4-6) in the NFC South and have a game left with each.

That was Rivera’s message on Monday as Carolina enters a bye week before resuming its season on November 30 at Minnesota.

"I broke my own rule and looked ahead," Rivera said. "I told the guys, 'We’ve got five games left to play. If we take care of business in all five games and one or two things happen, then we win the division.'

"That’s how simple it is."

It’s not that simple. Rivera admitted the Panthers have to win all five games against Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Atlanta to have a chance.

They also need Atlanta and New Orleans to lose at least one more game and not get past eight wins.

An 8-7-1 Carolina team then would win the division title by percentage points because of its tie against Cincinnati.

It’s also not that simple, because that would mean a team that hasn’t won since Oct. 5 against Chicago has to win five straight.

But Rivera doesn’t think it’s such a long shot.

"I don’t believe it’s a faint hope," he said. "I believe it’s a strong hope."

Do the Panthers deserve to be in the race with three wins 11 games into the season? Cornerback Josh Norman might have summed that up best after Sunday’s 19-17 loss to Atlanta when he said, "Does anybody in the NFC South deserve to be in it?"

Based on records, probably not.

But somebody is going to be the division champion, so the Panthers figure it might as well be them. Even Norman admits that.

"Yes," Norman said. "If the Panthers win it they deserve it ... hands down."

According to Elias, this is the third time since the NFL went to at least four divisions in 1967 that a team two games under .500 is at least in a share for first place this late in the season. The last time was in 2010 when Seattle and St. Louis were in that position.

Seattle won the division with a 7-9 record, and then won a playoff game at home.

Rivera was part of a San Diego team in 2008 that won its final four games to finish 8-8 and win the division. That team also won a playoff game.

"That’s why it’s a division," Rivera said. "It’s a division race. We’re in the middle of a division race."

As bad as this season has gotten, as ridiculous as it sounds to be talking about the possibilities of making the playoffs, that is what Carolina is clinging to as it enters its bye week.

On paper, the Panthers have the easiest route. Their opponents have a combined record of 20-30 (.400) record. The Saints’ opponents are 25-35-1 (.410). Atlanta’s opponents are a combined 35-25-1 (.574).

So when Rivera got out of his comfort one and looked ahead on the schedule, his players didn’t think it was that unusual.

"That’s the human nature of the beast," Norman said.

Defensive tackle Colin Cole said Rivera’s speech was motivational, especially for younger players used to the college system in which one or two losses takes you out of the running for a national championship.

"If we take care of our business and one other thing happens, we win the division," Rivera said. "That’s how crazy it is."

Since we’re looking ahead, here’s a look at what Carolina, Atlanta and New Orleans face:

PANTHERS (3-7-1, 1-2 in division)

Remaining schedule: Nov. 23 – Bye; Nov. 30 – at Minnesota (4-6); Dec. 7 – at New Orleans (4-6); Dec. 14 – Tampa Bay (2-8); Dec. 21 – Cleveland (6-4); Dec. 28 – at Atlanta (4-6).

Opponent’s record: 20-30 (.400)

FALCONS (4-6, 4-0 in division)

Remaining schedule: Nov. 23 – Cleveland (6-4); Nov. 30 – Arizona (9-1); Dec. 8 – at Green Bay (7-3); Dec. 14 – Pittsburgh (6-4); Dec. 21 – at New Orleans (4-6); Dec. 28 – Carolina (3-7-1).

Opponent’s record: 35-25-1 (.574)

SAINTS (4-6, 2-1 in division)

Remaining schedule: Nov. 24 – Baltimore (6-4); Nov. 30 – at Pittsburgh (6-4); Dec. 7 – Carolina (3-7-1); Dec. 14 – at Chicago (4-6); Dec. 21 – Atlanta (4-6); Dec. 28 – at Tampa Bay (2-8).

Opponent’s record: 25-35-1 (.410)