The Carolina Panthers have a massive opportunity in front of them over the next two weeks.
Following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (5-9) on Thursday at Raymond James Stadium, the Panthers (7-6) are alone at the top of the NFC South and can clinch the division title with two consecutive wins coming off their bye week.
First, the Panthers will need to avenge their Week 10 home loss to the Saints (3-10) in New Orleans on Sunday. If they can pull off that road win, Carolina can then clinch the division crown with a home win over the Buccaneers (7-7) in Week 16.
Essentially, a win over the Saints this weekend would put the Panthers in the driver’s seat to end the Buccaneers’ four-year reign as NFC South champions. The pressure would be on the Buccaneers to curb their two-game NFC South losing streak against the Panthers — on the road — to have any shot at a fifth consecutive division title.
Also, with the Buccaneers losing a second consecutive division game, the Panthers have some wiggle room in case they are defeated by the Saints on the road this weekend. A loss to New Orleans would essentially even out the gap between Carolina and Tampa Bay, making their two matchups over the next three weeks that much more important.
The Panthers can also stay alive in the division race by defeating the Saints and then losing to the Buccaneers at home.
A win over New Orleans on Sunday is essentially an insurance policy for a Week 16 loss to the Buccaneers, or a massive step toward the division title with a win over Tampa Bay in the penultimate home game of the regular season next week (1 p.m., Dec. 21).
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM.
Mike Kaye
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription
