The Carolina Panthers are trying to ignore the outside noise heading into the pivotal winner-take-all showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. However, it was hard to overlook an unlikely scenario that incredibly went in their favor.
And it could change everything.
Head coach Dave Canales' squad blew a chance to clinch the division in Week 17. They lost to the Seattle Seahawks, which stung more after the Buccaneers were beaten by the Miami Dolphins. That set up a do-or-die clash for the NFC South championship, which also gets standalone billing on Saturday afternoon.
Carolina Panthers can still win the NFC South even with a Week 18 defeat
Things are not so clear-cut now. The Panthers could potentially book their first playoff spot since 2017, even if they cannot come through at Raymond James Stadium.
The Atlanta Falcons caused an upset of epic proportions by securing an eye-popping success against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. Running back Bijan Robinson led the way with a miraculous performance to get his team over the line. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was efficient, earning an outstanding 75.3 QBR to give Carolina a helping hand.
It also shifts the title picture. If the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints in Week 18, it won't matter how Carolina fares in Tampa Bay. They will win the division based on tie-breakers. But if Atlanta loses and the Panthers come unstuck, the Buccaneers will retain their NFC South crown.
NFC South Scenario to Watch:
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 30, 2025
Panthers clinch division with win over Bucs Saturday. Bucs will have to wait til Sunday & need help from Saints.
If Bucs and Falcons win next week, Panthers would still win NFC South. Three-way tie at 8-9 tiebreaker goes to Carolina.
Bucs need win…
The Saints have won their last four games and look like a completely different outfit with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough leading the charge. Defensive end Chase Young is in the most dominant stretch of his pro career, so the Falcons' gaining a final-day triumph is far from guaranteed.
This is something for the fans to cling to, if nothing else. However, it should change absolutely nothing for the players, coaches, and everyone else inside the building.
Leaving no doubt by getting the job done in Tampa Bay is the only way to put the exclamation point on proceedings. Falling short and relying on others is not an option — not when the Buccaneers are more vulnerable than ever after going 1-7 in their last eight contests.
That is the message instantly resonating around the locker room after Week 17. There is no time to dwell on what might have been. This is all about looking forward to the future, and the stakes couldn't be much higher.
If they need the Falcons to do them a favor, perhaps the Panthers don't deserve to be in the knockout rounds. Just take care of business and worry about the rest later.
It's that simple.