The Carolina Panthers haven’t played a high-stakes game this late into their schedule in three years. That contest came back in 2022 campaign versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who halted the team’s sudden and unlikely playoff run in a crushing Week 17 defeat.
Ironically enough, their first meaningful late-season matchup since then will also pit them against the Bucs. But the context, especially behind the Panthers, is a bit different this time around.
Carolina enters Week 16 at 7-7, and tied atop the NFC South with Tampa Bay. Sunday will mark the first of two tilts between the division rivals over these final three weeks, with the second set for Week 18.
Regardless of the outcome this weekend, the Panthers have already advanced in their rebuilding process. They’ve been stacking their roster brick by brick under general manager Dan Morgan, establishing a culture alongside head coach Dave Canales and improved their win total from 2024—with signature victories over the likes of the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams.
The organization has also seen their quarterback situation improve, thanks to the growth of Bryce Young. He still may not be the No. 1 overall pick the front office drafted him to be quite yet, but third-year passer has taken a step forward from his sophomore campaign.
Even if their season were to end today, the Panthers—who have even achieved the goal of playing consequential football into December—can chalk up 2025 as a success.
Their showdown with the Bucs, however, will give them the chance to take an even larger leap.
There will be a big-game feel in Charlotte this weekend and the next. In addition to hosting Tampa Bay, Carolina will also welcome in the NFC-leading Seattle Seahawks in Week 17 (and we already know how well they’ve done against No. 1 seeds so far in this season).
Although the Panthers weren’t expected by many to seriously compete for a postseason spot this year, the opportunity is in front of them. And since it is, why not take it?
Looking at the big picture, the NFC South may be ripe for the taking in 2026 and beyond. Tampa might require a structural reset, the Atlanta Falcons may be in for some serious changes and the New Orleans Saints are at the start of a long-term rebuild.
But in the short term, it’s right there right now.
A win on Sunday would give the Panthers a one-game lead and a huge edge over the Bucs going into Weeks 17 and 18. It would get them one step closer to their first playoff berth since 2017 and their first division title since 2015.
This is a feeling that hasn’t been felt around these parts in nearly a decade, so it’s time to be excited and soak it all in!
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