CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Carolina Panthers are one big step closer to the playoffs, thanks to another Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss.
The Buccaneers and Falcons met on Thursday Night Football in what was a crucial NFC South matchup, particularly for the Buccaneers — and Panthers, who weren’t even playing.
Entering Thursday’s game, the Panthers and Buccaneers were tied atop the NFC South division standings with 7-6 records. Thursday’s 29-28, last-second loss dropped Tampa Bay to 7-7, which gave Carolina sole possession of the division lead. The Buccaneers have now lost five of their past six games after they started the season 6-2.
Whoever wins the division will get an automatic playoff berth, while the loser appears unlikely to get a wild card spot. That means that for the Panthers and Bucs, winning the division is likely their only ticket into the postseason.
If Carolina could make the playoffs, it would be the first time since 2017, and would mark their first NFC South title since 2015 — the season where they went to the Super Bowl. In fact, The Athletic’s Joe Person reported that this is the first time Carolina has been in sole possession of first place this late in a season since 2015.
We’re looking at what the Panthers need to do to make the playoffs in this Friday’s edition of The Point After. Tune in at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, in the video player up above.
Watch The Point After clips
See clips from previous shows in the video playlist below.
The Point After now airs twice each Friday
Every Friday, The Point After will be available to watch twice: first at 1 p.m. (streaming only), and again at 7:30 p.m. (broadcast and streaming).
You’ll be able to watch the show online, on your mobile app, or on our streaming app at either of those times. Just search “WBTV” in the app store on your device.
—> Click here for more sports news
Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.