The Carolina Panthers, even without taking the field in Week 14, inched closer to their first postseason berth in eight years.
On Sunday, the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the New Orleans Saints—in a pretty surprising 24-20 upset at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa’s loss moved them to 7-6 and into a tie atop the division with Carolina, who will also enter Week 15 at 7-6.
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Not since 2017, the season of the Panthers’ last playoff appearance, has the team been above a .500 record this late into a campaign. Carolina also hasn’t had at least a share of first place in the NFC South since then, when they were battling Sean Payton’s and Drew Brees’ Saints. (Yeah, it’s been that long.)
So, how much did the Panthers’ playoff chances improve following the Bucs’ defeat from this weekend?
According to The Athletic’s NFL Playoff Simulator, their odds jumped from 22 percent to—as of Monday morning—31 percent.
Whether they like those odds or not, the Panthers do control their own destiny—as two of their four remaining games (Week 16 and Week 18) come against the Buccaneers. Two wins by Carolina in those matchups would clinch them their first division title since the magical 2015 season.
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But, before we get to those massive showdowns, the Panthers will have to worry about those pesky 3-10 Saints this upcoming Sunday.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL playoff odds: Panthers’ chances go up after Bucs’ Week 14 loss