Win-and-in. Lose and doubtlessly nonetheless in.
The NFC South would have it no different approach. The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Week 18 with a easy activity forward of them: win.
While that was crystal clear earlier than the Atlanta Falcons’ upset win over the Los Angeles Rams on “Monday Night Football” in Week 17, it is something however clear now. Thanks to a three-way tiebreaker that was beforehand unimaginable, the Panthers not want a win in Week 18 to get to the playoffs because the NFC South champion.
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They may simply deal with enterprise on Saturday, Jan. 3 and punch their ticket into the bracket, however all hope is not misplaced with a loss.
Carolina hasn’t made the playoffs because the 2017 season, when Cam Newton was nonetheless underneath middle. After a long term of mediocrity and irrelevance, Bryce Young is hoping to lead the Panthers again to the massive stage within the NFL playoffs.
Here’s a breakdown of the Panthers’ playoff image and the way they might make their long-awaited return to the postseason.
Panthers playoff chances
The Panthers have a 72% likelihood to make the playoffs, in accordance to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Despite having a one-game lead over the Buccaneers, there may be nonetheless a transparent path for every crew to get into the bracket. The Panthers’ playoff odds are notable, given they’re underdogs in opposition to the Buccaneers in Week 18.
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That is as a result of they’ve a path to the postseason, whether or not they win or lose, whereas the Buccaneers have to win after which would require assist from the Saints – who would have to beat the Falcons for Tampa’s season to proceed.
Panthers playoff eventualities
The Panthers can solely get into the playoffs by successful the NFC South. Here’s a have a look at what it’s going to take for Carolina to win its division in 2025:
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Panthers win or tie vs. Buccaneers
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Panthers loss vs. Buccaneers AND Falcons win vs. Saints
Carolina had the within observe at capturing the NFC South after defeating Tampa in Week 16. The Panthers may’ve clinched the division with a win over the Seahawks after the Buccaneers’ loss to the Dolphins, however they misplaced to Seattle, 27-10.
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The Panthers will both end with the NFC’s No. 4 seed or exterior the playoff image solely. If they get in, they might host a playoff sport within the opening spherical in opposition to the highest-seeded wild-card crew, which might be the Seahawks, 49ers or Rams.
NFC South standings
The Panthers personal the highest spot within the NFC South heading into the common season’s ultimate week:
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Carolina presently has the one sport lead over Tampa with one sport to go, however would lose the tiebreaker with a loss in Week 18, offered Atlanta additionally loses. Since the 2 groups would have cut up the season collection, the head-to-head tiebreaker is nullified.
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Instead, Tampa would get in primarily based on the widespread video games tiebreaker, which it has the benefit in.
However, if the Buccaneers and Falcons each win, it will additionally enable the Panthers to sneak into the bracket regardless of all three groups being tied at 8-9.
The NFL has a distinct course of for figuring out three-way tiebreakers, which might give the Panthers the sting. Carolina would have a 3-1 report in opposition to Atlanta and Tampa Bay, whereas the opposite two would every end 2-2.
Thanks to that, the Panthers would get into the playoffs because the NFC South champion.
Panthers remaining schedule
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Week 18: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Buccaneers remaining schedule
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Week 18: vs. Carolina Panthers (8-8)
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Falcons remaining schedule
Here’s a have a look at Atlanta’s remaining schedule, which solely comes into play if the Buccaneers win:
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Week 18: vs. New Orleans Saints (6-10)
NFL playoff image
Here’s how the AFC and NFC stack up coming into Week 18:
AFC
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Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
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New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
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Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
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Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
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Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
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Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC
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Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*
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Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
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Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
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San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
* Denotes crew that has clinched a playoff berth.
This article initially appeared on USA TODAY: Panthers playoff chances: Scenarios, NFC South odds for Carolina