What needs to go right for the Carolina Panthers?

Before this week, I thought Carolina's season was over. Sitting at 6-8, on a four-game skid and with Chris Weinke at the helm, I really thought it should have been over. But god bless the NFC: an 8-8 team is going to get in, and Carolina is currently 7-8, along with St. Louis, Atlanta, New York, and Green Bay (of all teams). So who to root for in the last week?

Carolina at New Orleans - Saints have locked the #2 seed, good for us.
St. Louis at Minnesota - Minnesota is out of contention.
Atlanta at Philadelphia - Philly is playing for the division, good for us.
New York at Washington (Sat.) - Washington is out of contention.
Green Bay at Chicago - Chicago has locked the #1 seed, bad for us.

And straight from NFL.com:

Carolina can clinch playoff berth with:

1) CAR win + NYG loss or tie + GB loss or tie, OR
2) CAR tie + NYG loss + GB loss + STL loss or tie + ATL loss or tie

Go Washington. Go Chicago (please?) It turns out the other two games are not relevant unless Carolina ties...