Here’s what the world looked like the last time the Panthers made the playoffs
CCarolina Panthers

Here’s what the world looked like the last time the Panthers made the playoffs

  • January 5, 2026

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – It has been a long time since the Carolina Panthers made the playoffs. Eight years to be exact.

Coming into this year, only the dreadful New York Jets had a longer playoff drought than the Panthers.

Prior to the current one, the 2017 campaign was the last time Carolina was in the postseason. That year, the Panthers qualified as a wild card team. It has been since the 2015 season — the Super Bowl year — that they won the NFC South.

So, when the Falcons did the Panthers a solid on Sunday and sealed Carolina’s NFC South division crown, a huge weight was lifted from the shoulders of fans of the Black and Blue.

With this season’s playoff berth comes a home playoff game in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10. In that matchup, the Panthers will host the Los Angeles Rams, who Carolina beat back in November.

The Panthers are viewed as big underdogs entering Saturday’s game, but while the fun lasts, let’s take a look at how the world looked the last time Carolina made the playoffs and won the NFC South.

PresidentIn 2017: Donald Trump (first term)In 2015: Barack Obama (second term)Top SongIn 2017: “Shape of You” by Ed SheeranIn 2015: “Uptown Funk!” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno MarsTop MovieIn 2017: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”In 2015: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”Top “Trends”In 2017: Fidget spinnersIn 2015: “The dress” … was it blue and black, or white and gold?Newest iPhone modelIn 2017: iPhone XIn 2015: iPhone 6sPanthers leadersIn 2017:Passer: Cam Newton — 3,302 yards/22 touchdownsRusher: Cam Newton — 754 yards/six touchdownsReceiver: Devin Funchess — 840 yards/eight touchdownsTackler: Luke Kuechly — 125 tacklesMost sacks: Julius Peppers and Mario Addison (tie) — 11Most interceptions: Luke Kuechly — 3Kicker: Graham GanoIn 2015:Passer: Cam Newton — 3,837 yards/35 touchdownsRusher: Jonathan Stewart — 989 yards/six touchdownsReceiver: Greg Olsen — 1,104 yards/seven touchdownsTackler: Luke Kuechly — 118 tacklesMost sacks: Kawann Short — 11Most interceptions: Kurt Coleman — 7Kicker: Graham GanoPrior to the current season, the Panthers last made the playoffs during the 2017 season.Prior to the current season, the Panthers last made the playoffs during the 2017 season.(Butch Dill | AP)

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