At a Glance
- Panthers lose 16-14 to Buccaneers, both finish 8-9.
- NFC South winner will be decided Sunday, with New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons.
- Both teams remain in playoff contention; the next game will determine the No. 4 seed.
- Why it matters: The outcome decides which team hosts a playoff game and who faces the top seed.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers survived the Week 18 playoff race with a narrow 16-14 win over the Carolina Panthers. Carolina needed a victory to secure the No. 4 seed, but the loss left both teams tied at 8-9.
Week 18 Outcome
The rain-slick field saw Bryce Young outplay Baker Mayfield statistically, yet neither quarterback left a lasting mark on the game. Carolina’s run game stalled at 19 yards on 14 carries, while Tampa Bay managed 140 yards on 42 attempts.
NFC South Implications
With the Panthers-Buccaneers game over, the NFC South title hinges on Sunday’s matchup between the 6-10 New Orleans Saints and the 7-9 Atlanta Falcons. A Falcons win would keep Carolina in the playoffs; a Saints win would help Tampa Bay clinch the division.
| Team | Record | Result | Next Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 8-9 | Lost 16-14 | N/A |
| Buccaneers | 8-9 | Won 16-14 | N/A |
The wild-card round begins on Saturday, January 10, with the full schedule set for late Sunday.
Key Takeaways
- Panthers and Buccaneers finish tied at 8-9 after a 16-14 game.
- The NFC South winner will be decided Sunday, with the New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons matchup.
- The outcome will determine the No. 4 seed and its playoff host.
The final game of the regular season leaves the NFC South in limbo, with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons set to decide the division’s fate.
