Whatever happens the rest of the way, we can say with absolute certainty that this 2025 NFL season has been a success for the Carolina Panthers. They're in yea

The Carolina Panthers are in the driver seat of the NFC South title, but their playoff hopes hinge on Week 16.

NFL schedule set up perfect Buccaneers, Panthers finish for NFC South standings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The NFL schedule makers like to backlog the calendar with divisional matchups. But even then, there's no guarantee that those games will have any meaning.

It was business as usual for the Panthers on Sunday vs. the Saints. Once again, Carolina came up short on the scoreboard after winning their previous game.

The Carolina Panthers are still learning how to handle success. While the Panthers have thrived in the underdog role this season with wins over Green Bay and the Los Angeles Rams, they continue to struggle winning the games they’re supposed to win.

With a victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers would have had an opportunity to clinch their first NFC South title since 2015 in their next game. But the Panthers lost to the Saints 20-17 and will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with the teams tied for the division lead.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales had a simple explanation for why he tried to go for it on fourth down.