For the first time since 2017, the Carolina Panthers made it to the playoffs. Even better for the franchise, Saturday’s game will be their first home playoff game since the 2015 season. The Panthers won the NFC South for the second time with a losing record, finishing with an 8-9 mark. They won the division in the 2014 year with a 7-8-1 record. Here’s how they got here this season.

Week 1

The Panthers hit the road to begin the season to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Bryce Young had an underwhelming day with only 154 yards passing including three total turnovers for the team, leading to a 26-10 loss for the Panthers.

Record: 0-1

Week 2

The Panthers went on the road the next week taking on the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers turned the ball over in both of their first two drives of the game, both led to scores for the Cardinals. Young totaled 328 yards passing with three touchdowns in the second half. But their second half comeback attempt fell short as the Panthers lost 27-22.

Record: 0-2

Week 3

Week 3 was the team’s home opener at Bank of America Stadium and arguably their best defensive output of the season. The Panthers shut out their NFC South Division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, winning the turnover battle 3-1. The Panthers won 30-0 to get their first win of the season.

Record: 1-2

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard runs against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Week 4

Week 4’s game on the road at the New England Patriots was the first game of the season for the Panthers where they didn’t turn the ball over. They also won the time of possession battle and totaled more yards. However, their offense wasn’t able to score, and the Patriots offense put up 42 points leading to a 42-13 blowout loss.

Record: 1-3

Week 5

Week 5 saw the Panthers return home to host the Miami Dolphins and was the beginning of the upward trajectory for the team. After two early turnovers from Bryce Young, head coach Dave Canales focused on the run game behind Rico Dowdle, who was inserted into the starting lineup after CHuba Hubbard was ruled out with an injury. Dowdle exploded for 206 rushing yards, leading the Panthers to a 27-24 win.

Record: 2-3

Week 6

The Panthers returned home to host the Dallas Cowboys and Dowdle had another explosion, this time against his former team. Dowdle rushed for 183 yards with Hubbard still out with injury, leading the Panthers to their third win of the season 30-27.

Record: 3-3

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) runs the ball for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Week 7

The Panthers hit the road to take on the winless New York Jets in Week 7. The team forced two turnovers in a game that was a defensive battle. The Panthers notch their first three-game winning streak since the 2021 season, winning 13-6. Young left the game early with an ankle injury which would impact the team the following week.

Record: 4-3

Week 8

Andy Dalton started at quarterback for the Panthers while Young was nursing ankle injury. The Panthers were back at home hosting the Buffalo Bills who were getting healthy on defense at the time. The Panthers defense allowed Bills running back James Cook to rush for 216 yards as the Buffalo blew them out 40-9.

Record: 4-4

Week 9

The Panthers hit the road to take on the Green Bay Packers with Young back in the lineup in a game where no one gave them a chance to win. Canales controlled the game from a coaching standpoint through the run game. Dowdle rushed for 130 yards and the Panthers shocked the world, winning 16-13.

Record: 5-4

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) runs against Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (55) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Week 10

In Week 10, the Panthers came back home and were favored to win a game for the first time in four seasons as they hosted NFC South rival the New Orleans Saints. Rookie QB Tyler Shough cut up the Panthers defense for 282 yards and two touchdowns, while the Panthers offense stalled as they lost 17-7.

Record: 5-5

Week 11

The Panthers hit the road for their second matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, which ended up being Young’s best statistical game of his career. The third year quarterback threw for a franchise high 448 yards, leading the Panthers to a 30-27 overtime win, sweeping the Falcons in the 2025 season.

Record: 6-5

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates his touchdown pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Week 12

Bryce Young led the Panthers in his Monday Night Football debut and the team’s first prime time game since 2022. Even though the defense turned the 49ers over three times in the first half, the offense sputtered. Young only threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers lost 20-9.

Record: 6-6

Week 13

The Los Angeles Rams came to town to take on the Panthers as a double-digit favorite. However, the Panthers defense showed up once again and forced three turnovers without Jaycee Horn, Christian Rozeboom and Tre’Von Moehrig in the lineup. Defensive lineman Derrick Brown had a strip sack in the 4th quarter, which was recovered by Panthers outside linebacker DJ Wonnum to secure the 31-28 surprise win for the Panthers.

Record: 7-6

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young leaves the field after their win in an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Week 14

A much-needed bye week for the Panthers.

Week 15

The Panthers hit the road after a week off, looking for their first back-to-back wins since Weeks 6 & 7 as they were once again favored against the Saints. Shough once again out-dueled Young as the Carolina offense once again sputtered. The Panthers lost 20-17.

Record: 7-7

Week 16

Carolina hosted another NFC South rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs came into the game sliding with a 7-7 record after they started the year at 6-2. The Panthers were just a little bit better than the Bucs forcing one turnover and keeping them from scoring at keys points in the game. Panthers won 23-20 to take the lead in the division and with a chance to clinch the playoffs the following week.

Record: 8-7

Week 17

The Panthers just needed to win at home versus the Seahawks and have the Bucs lose versus Miami. The Dolphins took care of their business, but the Panthers offense sputtered again. Young had his lowest passing total of the season with just 54 yards. Seattle wins 27-10.

Record: 8-8

Week 18

Carolina hit the road for their regular season finale in a ‘win and you’re in’ scenario. Unfortunately the Buccaneers offense and the wet weather conditions in Tampa were too much for the Panthers as they lost 16-14, giving Tampa Bay control in the division.

The Falcons did the Panthers a favor and beat the Saints the next day, which caused a three-way 8-9 tie in the division. The tiebreaker went to the Panthers, so they clinch the playoffs despite losing their final two games.

Record: 8-9