.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
The Carolina Panthers haven't made the playoffs since 2017, and haven't won the NFC South since 2015.
Carolina entered Week 16 tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the division lead. As fate would have it, not only did the Panthers and the Buccaneers play in Week 16, but they also are scheduled for their second divisional matchup in Week 18, the final week of the regular season.
In Week 16, the game came down to the wire, as the Panthers held a three-point lead at the two-minute warning. Former Carolina, and current Tampa Bay, quarterback Baker Mayfield attempted to orchestrate a game-tying or winning drive, but he threw an interception.
This gave Carolina an extremely important win and put them in the driver's seat of the division.
Here is an updated look at the Panthers' playoff chances after their Week 16 win over the Buccaneers.
MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures in Week 16
Panthers playoff picture
The only way for the Panthers to make the postseason is by winning the division. Carolina controls its own destiny down the stretch of the season. If the Panthers win their last two games, they are in as the NFC South champion. If Carolina wins in Week 17 and loses in Week 18, they still win the division based on tiebreakers with Tampa Bay. If Carolina loses in Week 17, and wins in Week 18, they also will make the postseason.
The only way the Panthers miss the postseason is if they lose out.
| Position | Team | Record |
| 1 | Seahawks | 12-3 |
| 2 | Bears | 11-4 |
| 3 | Eagles | 10-5 |
| 4 | Panthers | 8-7 |
| 5 | Rams | 11-4 |
| 6 | 49ers | 10-4 |
| 7 | Packers | 9-5-1 |
| 8 | Lions | 8-6 |
| 9 | Vikings - eliminated | 7-8 |
| 10 | Buccaneers | 7-8 |
| 11 | Cowboys | 6-8-1 |
NFC South standings
Carolina's path to winning the division is clear. Over the last two weeks of the season, they have to win as many or more games than the Buccaneers. If the Panthers win in either Week 17 or in Week 18, they will make the playoffs.
| Team | Record |
| Panthers | 8-7 |
| Buccaneers | 7-8 |
| Falcons - eliminated | 5-9 |
| Saints - eliminated | 5-10 |
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order after early slate in Week 16
Panthers remaining schedule
The Panthers only have two regular season games left. Carolina will take on the Seattle Seahawks, marking back-to-back weeks that the Panthers have to face one of their former quarterbacks. The Panthers then wrap up the season on the road against the Buccaneers, and that game will likely be for the division.
| Week | Opponent |
| 17 | vs. Seahawks |
| 18 | at Buccaneers |
English (US)