The Carolina Panthers are getting closer to their first division title in nearly a decade.
Thanks in part to an old friend in kicker Zane Gonzalez, the Atlanta Falcons walked off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers en route to a 29-28 upset on Thursday night. Tampa Bay’s loss, their fifth in the last six games, moved them to 7-7 and half a game behind the new NFC South-leading 7-6 Panthers.
Now, according to The Athletic‘s NFL Playoff Simulator, Carolina has a 47-percent chance to make the playoffs.
Tonight’s result has also given the Panthers an opportunity to clinch the NFC South crown by the end of Week 16. If they can win their next two games—against the New Orleans Saints this weekend and the Bucs on Dec. 21—then the division, for the first time since their magical 2015 campaign, is theirs.
Welcome back to meaningful December football, Carolina!
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