Panthers Win Nfc South Over Buccaneers After Falcons Win Thriller Vs

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 19, 2026, 6:32 AM

panthers win nfc south over buccaneers after falcons win thriller vs

On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers had everything on the line even though they were not playing, having lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a close game on Saturday afternoon. Still, the Panthers needed the Atlanta Falcons to defeat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, which would give the Falcons, Panthers, and Buccaneers a three-way tie atop the NFC South, allowing the Panthers to... Thankfully for Carolina, that's exactly what happened, as the Falcons defeated the Saints by a score of 19-17, recovering an onside kick in the waning seconds to secure the victory after having controlled things... The win allows the Panthers to backdoor their way into the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season, where they will get a home game next weekend due to their status as... To say that this year was not a conventional postseason year for the Panthers would be an understatement, as the team struggled through more setbacks with quarterback Bryce Young and also lost in blowout... However, the Panthers did pick up some impressive wins this season, including against the Los Angeles Rams and the Green Bay Packers, meaning that they won't be a pushover for whoever they get matched...

The battle for the NFC South title has officially come to an end. The Panthers secured the final NFC playoff spot on Sunday thanks to the Falcons beating the Saints. This Carolina's first division title in10 years. The Panthers lost to the Buccaneers on Saturday night 16–14, which put all the pressure on Sunday’s Saints–Falcons game. If New Orleans would’ve won, then Tampa Bay would’ve earned the playoff spot. This complicated path to the playoffs definitely had the teams and the fans on the edge of their seats.

Baker Mayfield, for instance, was a nervous wreck watching the game at home knowing his team’s playoff hopes were in the hands of a rival. 🥁🥁🥁@AtriumHealth | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/mm6SF46EHP It was a close NFC South matchup on Sunday as Atlanta won 19–17 to help Carolina make the postseason. With an 8–9 record for the 2025 season, Carolina is the only playoff team with a losing record. The Panthers hold onto the No. 4 NFC seed, setting them up to host the 49ers as of now.

If the Rams beat the Cardinals in the late Sunday slate, then the Panthers will host Los Angeles instead next weekend in the wild-card round. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) runs around the tackle attempt from Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Benjamin Morrison (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla.

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws under pressure during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla.

(AP Photo/Jason Behnken) Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David (54) celebrates after recovering a fumble by Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken) The track was wet at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday evening, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers apparently had a "mudder" in their racing stable while the visiting Carolina Panthers did not. The Buccaneers' 140 to 19 edge in rushing yards in a game played largely in a driving rainstorm was the difference in a 16-14 decision for the home team that kept Tampa Bay's playoff...

The win allowed the Buccaneers to forge a tie with the Panthers at the top of the NFC South with identical 8-9 records, and if a tiebreaker is eventually applied between those two teams... However, if the Atlanta Falcons win on Sunday it would become a three-way tie atop the division and the first tiebreaker in that scenario would go in Carolina's direction. Thus, the Buccaneers need a win by the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta on Sunday to clinch a record fifth consecutive NFC South crown. "That's all we can do," said Head Coach Todd Bowles. "We can't wait 'til tomorrow if we don't win today. It was a gutsy performance, the guys fought hard, it was a hard-fought game on both sides.

We came out with one and we gave ourselves a chance – that's all we can ask for." Tampa Bay scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the third week in a row but this time was able to make it stand up with the addition of three Chase McLaughlin field... The Buccaneers had a nine-point lead and the football at Carolina's 20-yard line with five minutes left in regulation but a blocked field goal and a stunning 40-yard completion by Bryce Young to Tetairoa... After that, the Buccaneers needed to kill the final 2:27 and the Panthers' three timeouts to seal the win. A rollout 20-yard pass from Baker Mayfield to TE Cade Otton on third-and-four from the Bucs' 35 at the two-minute warning was the key to depriving Carolina of one more reasonable scoring chance. "In that situation, if it's wide-open throw it," said Mayfield.

"If not, try to run for it or take a short sack to keep the clock rolling. Cade did a good job getting over there quick for me to get it to him and he took care of the rest." Is a five-peat in store for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or will the Carolina Panthers have something to say when it's all said and done? On Saturday, it was Baker Mayfield's Bucs (8-9) who emerged victorious over Bryce Young and the rising Panthers (8-9) inside Raymond James Stadium. However, the win didn't secure Tampa's next NFC South title, though it did improve its odds entering Sunday. Mayfield and Co.

will now have to hope and pray the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) either lose or tie the New Orleans Saints (6-10) in the season finale for them to get in. If Atlanta wins, then Young's squad will take home its first NFC South crown since 2015. Check below for all the highlights from Bucs vs. Panthers on Saturday night! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers on Saturday in a must-win game, but the Buccaneers needed more help on Sunday to win the division. With the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints finishing their seasons in a matchup, Tampa Bay needed the Saints to prevail.

However, it was the Falcons who won the game, which means that the Panthers finish the season as NFC South champions at 8-9. The reasoning behind the Panthers' making the playoffs involves the differences in tiebreaks. Atlanta's win means the Falcons, Panthers and Buccaneers are all tied at 8-9, allowing Carolina to win a three-team tiebreak. However, had the Falcons lost, the Buccaneers would have won a two-team tiebreak. Here's a breakdown of how the Panthers still won the division despite losing on Saturday. LIVE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 18

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season rests on whether a 6-10 New Orleans Saints team can get a win on Sunday. The Buccaneers did this to themselves. They lost control of the NFC South with a defeat last weekend. But all they could control was beating the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, and Tampa Bay responded with just their second win in their last nine games. They beat the Panthers 16-14 on a wet field in a game that wasn’t pretty from either side, but not much from the NFC South has been impressive this season. Carolina scored with 2:27 left, but the Panthers had only a few seconds left after the Buccaneers punted, and didn’t get a miracle score to win.

The NFC South champion will be 8-9. If the Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday, the Panthers win the division. A tie in the Saints-Falcons games clinches the division title for Tampa Bay. "I might not even watch, to be honest with you," Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said postgame about the Falcons-Saints game. "I might just see how it ends up. It’s on us for that being our reality.

We had an opportunity to take it. Now we have to leave it in someone else’s hands."

Panthers Win Nfc South Over Buccaneers After Falcons Win Thriller Vs

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