The Carolina Panthers haven’t experienced playoff football since 2017. They also haven’t won an NFC South title since 2015.
But, remarkably enough, both of those franchise-long droughts can end with two weeks of regular-season play to spare.
Entering Week 15, the 7-6 Panthers are tied atop their division with the 7-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina, however, can end this race rather quickly—by way of just three outcomes.
The first can come this Thursday night, when the Bucs host the 4-9 Atlanta Falcons. Obviously, the Panthers are looking for another loss from the Bucs—which would mark their fifth over the last six games.
Then, of course, Carolina would have to take care of business against the 3-10 New Orleans Saints on Sunday. A win over those pesky underdogs, in this scenario, then gives the Panthers an 8-6 record and a one-game lead in the NFC South.
If that’s how Week 15 unfolds, the Panthers will have the chance to steal the throne in Week 16—when they welcome in the Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. A victory would bump Carolina up two games over Tampa with just two weeks left to play.
Even if the Panthers were to lose out and the Bucs were to win out from there, a tie at 9-8 would not be good enough for the latter—thanks to their respective records within the division. At worst, as long as Weeks 15 and 16 play out perfectly for Carolina, the Panthers could finish at 4-2 versus the NFC South with the Bucs at 3-3.
So, to sum it up, the Panthers can clinch an NFC South championship and a home playoff game by Sunday, Dec. 21 if:
TB loses to ATL (Week 15)CAR wins vs. NO (Week 15)CAR wins vs. TB (Week 16)
Oh, and yes, Carolina can be eliminated from playoff contention if the reverse of those three outcomes occurs.
Either way, Christmas can come early for one of these two teams.
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