‘Tickle Me Elmo’ in 1996. ‘Furby’ in 1998. The iPod in 2007. ‘Squishmallows’ in 2022. Coveted Christmas gifts are endless, and Panthers fans got an early present after the Week 15 Thursday Night Football game.

Building on the path outlined in an article earlier this week, there was only one way in Week 15 for the Carolina Panthers’ playoff probability to soar. The first step toward that outcome occurred on Thursday night when the Atlanta Falcons (5-9) pulled off an improbable road upset victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7).

The Carolina Panthers Gain Control of the NFC South Following Buccaneers’ Meltdown

Just before halftime, the Buccaneers hit a 52-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal, making it a 14-13 game at the break. Early in the fourth, the Buccaneers jumped ahead 28-14 and seemed in control, closing in on a needed win.

However, as legendary college football coach and analyst Lee Corso has famously coined on Saturday afternoons — not so fast, my friend.

The Falcons answered with a touchdown drive, then forced a Baker Mayfield interception. The eliminated Atlanta squad turned the takeaway into another touchdown. Two failed two-point tries left them behind, 26-28, with 3:34 to play.

The Falcons made a defensive stand, earning a final possession. Former Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired, giving Atlanta the win and moving Carolina into first in the NFC South.

Panthers Must Take Care of Business to Reap the Rewards

Returning to the playoff outlook, the scenario that would boost Carolina’s postseason chances required a Falcons win (check) and a Panthers victory in New Orleans on Sunday. If both of those results materialize, the Panthers’ odds of making the playoffs jump from 31.90% to 72.80%, per PFSN Playoff Predictor analytics.

Carolina has lost five of their last six games in New Orleans, last winning 10-7 in January 2023. In two Superdome games, Bryce Young has 298 yards, no touchdowns, two picks, and one lost fumble, sacked eight times.

But the Panthers have been most successful when executing a balanced game plan. They lean on their running attack to set the table for their passing game. That should continue to be their strategy in Week 15, provided the game flow permits.

Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales acknowledged that preferred identity in his press conference on Tuesday. He said, “Panthers football should look a certain way. I want to make sure we come out playing the run well on the defense, and then on offense, making sure that we have [Running Back] Rico [Dowdle] and [Running Back] Chuba [Hubbard] have an opportunity to affect the game.”

Chuba Hubbard has been increasingly effective lately. He registered an 81.5 grade in Week 13, the sixth-best PFSN RBi score of all qualified backs that week. Dowdle appeared to be slowed somewhat by his heavier workload and the quad injury he was battling through. The bye week couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment.

On defense, star corner Jaycee Horn (concussion) practiced Thursday fully and is close to clearing protocol. Safety Tre’von Moehrig (suspension) and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (hamstring/hip) also return for this key matchup.

If the Panthers can get past the New Orleans Saints in Week 15 and then follow up with a Week 16 home win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the division title will be theirs.

That would clinch the NFC South and bring playoff football back to Charlotte for the first time since the Panthers dismantled the Arizona Cardinals in the 2016 NFC Championship game en route to the team’s second Super Bowl appearance.

‘Tis the season, and now all of the merriment is directly in front of the Carolina Panthers.