The Carolina Panthers‘ playoff hopes took a hit on Sunday evening.
Thanks to their heartbreaking 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, who have now completed their two-game series sweep, the Panthers fell to 7-7 and back into a tie atop the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A win, following Tampa’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons this past Thursday night, would have given Carolina a one-game lead and left them one more win away from clinching the division.
Instead, according to The Athletic’s 2025 NFL Playoff Simulator, the Panthers’ playoff probability stands at 24-percent heading out of Week 15. That defeat dinged Carolina for a 41-point swing, as a victory would’ve shot them up to a 65-percent chance.
But all hope is certainly not lost.
Carolina, with three games remaining, can still take the NFC South through a few avenues. One includes a two-game sweep of their own, against the Bucs in Weeks 16 and 18.
Next Sunday’s huge showdown with Tampa Bay will kick off from Bank of America Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET.
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