What do the Panthers need to win the NFC South? Carolina’s chances to make the playoffs in Week 18

It was going to be an all or nothing showdown. It was going to be a win an in scenario. It was going to be an NFC South Week 18 showdown for all the marbles. That’s not exactly the case anymore, but playoff lives will be on the line on Saturday night afternoon from Tampa Bay.

Panthers path is simple

Like we said before, this had all the makings for a win or go home match up. Week 18 game not only decide the division winner, but decide who gets to host a game in the playoffs next Sunday. That plan got turned on it’s head as both the Bucs and the Panthers stumbled last week and now there are outside factors that could determine who is heading to the postseason.

For the Carolina Panthers, it’s pretty simple. If they win, they are in. They have had an impressive turnaround season and now they are in the drivers seat in the NFC South, but they know they have to go on the road and beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to guarantee themselves the division and a playoff birth.

They went 5-12 last year, and were one of the worst teams in the league and this year it seemed like, they were heading down that road again to start the campaign. After winning just one of their first four games, the Panthers would win four of their next five and go above .500. They haven’t had a losing record since Week 5 and now are a win away from returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Bucs trying to stop the spiral

The Bucs have it a little more complicated. They can win the head to head match up against the Panthers to draw level with them in the division, but they won’t be able to pop the bubbly until Sunday afternoon, and that’s only if the New Orleans Saints can beat or tie the Atlanta Falcons.

The Bucs looked in clear control of the NFC South a month ago, but a four game losing streak has plummeted them out of the top spot in the division and now they don’t control their own destiny.

Both team know that it’s a must win on Saturday afternoon from Tampa Bay, but the Panthers have a back up plan in the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons beat the Rams on Monday night to win their third straight game, while the Saints will be looking to end the season on a five game win streak. It’s going to be a toss up on Saturday, and if the Bucs should win things are going to be very interesting on Sunday in Atlanta.

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