CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Bank of America Stadium in uptown Charlotte was quiet Wednesday, but outside the Carolina Panthers' practice field many were already talking of a big playoff party on Saturday.

Panthers fan David Russell said he’ll start tailgating at noon at the latest -- that leaves about eight hours for him and his friends to eat and drink before the nighttime kickoff. Even Russell admits that may be too much time for alcohol.

“There's probably going to be people passed out on the sidewalks,” he said.

While he may be overestimating, police said they are already making plans to deal with alcohol-related issues.

“The longer people have to tailgate, the more chance they have to consume alcohol,” said Capt. Jeff Estes of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

So Estes will have a heavy dose of officers patrolling parking lots before and after the game.

“We just make sure we really police the behavioral issues, especially with alcohol. Alcohol-related offenses, intoxication and disruption, the fighting -- those sorts of things,” he said.

Police admit they can't check every driver after the game, but they're hoping most will be like Mark Mauldin, who's a long-time Panthers fan.

“I'm a tailgater. I love going to tailgate parties all day. We all have designated drivers, or you can stay in town at these hotels,” he said.

Fan Adam Luhrs said he has confidence the majority of fans will know when to say when.

“There will be a lot of people out here, but I think the police will get it under control because, I mean, Charlotte citizens know how to act, especially when we win our football games,” he said.

Police said their challenges won’t end when the game does because thousands of fans will head to uptown bars and restaurants afterward. Officers said they’ll shift their focus to those places and look hard for any evidence of drunken drivers.