CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Carolina Panthers took another huge step forward Sunday in their push for their first playoff berth since 2017.
Carolina upset the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-20, thanks to another Bryce Young game-winning drive and a game-sealing interception.
With the win, the Panthers moved to 8-7 on the year, while the Buccaneers fell to 7-8. The NFC South has come down to a two-horse race between Carolina and Tampa, with the winner set to make the playoffs and host a Wild Card game.
Both teams have two games left, including the final game against each other. Up next, the Panthers will host the NFC-best Seahawks. The Buccaneers will stay in the state of Florida but will travel to Miami to play the Dolphins.
If Carolina could beat Seattle and Tampa loses to Miami, the Panthers would take an insurmountable two-game lead in the NFC South and would thus clinch the division and a playoff spot ahead of the regular-season finale in Tampa Bay.
If the above scenario does not happen, then Carolina’s best shot to win the division would be to beat Tampa Bay again. If the Panthers beat the Buccaneers again, they would win the division regardless of what else happens.
Bryce Young threw two touchdown passes to help the Panthers beat the Bucs on Dec. 21.(Rusty Jones | AP)
The only way Carolina could lose to Tampa in the final game and still win the division would be if the Buccaneers lose to the Dolphins and the Falcons win their final two games. Such a situation would put the Panthers, Buccaneers and Falcons in a three-way tie with 8-9 records. In the off chance that happens, Carolina would win by virtue of the tiebreaker.
Below are some scenarios in which both the Panthers and Buccaneers could clinch the division. There is no way in which the Falcons or Saints could win the NFC South.
Panthers clinch if:Scenario 1:Panthers beat Seahawks in Week 17, Bucs lose to DolphinsScenario 2:Panthers lose to Seahawks in Week 17, Bucs lose to DolphinsPanthers beat Bucs in Week 18Scenario 3:Panthers lose to Seahawks in Week 17, Bucs beat DolphinsPanthers beat Bucs in Week 18Scenario 4:Panthers lose to Seahawks in Week 17, Bucs lose to DolphinsFalcons beat Rams in Week 17Panthers lose to Bucs in Week 18Falcons beat Saints in Week 18Bucs clinch if:Scenario 1:Panthers lose to Seahawks in Week 17, Bucs lose to DolphinsBucs beat Panthers in Week 18Scenario 2:Panthers beat Seahawks in Week 17, Bucs beat DolphinsBucs beat Panthers in Week 18Scenario 3:Panthers lose to Seahawks in Week 17, Bucs beat DolphinsBucs beat Panthers in Week 18Click here for more Panthers coverage
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