> At a Glance
> – The Carolina Panthers clinched the NFC South at 8-9
> – They become the first team ever to reach the playoffs twice with a losing record
> – Will host Matthew Stafford and the No. 5 Rams on Wild Card Weekend
> – Why it matters: A divisional logjam and tiebreak drama gave fans a rare sub-.500 playoff team
Carolina’s roller-coaster 2025 season ended in confetti despite a losing record, as the Panthers snatched the NFC South crown in the finale’s final minutes.
How the Panthers Won the Division
Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta each finished 8-9, forcing a three-way tiebreaker that broke in the Panthers’ favor.
The Panthers could have wrapped things up in Week 17 but fell 16-14 in Tampa, keeping every team alive. On the season’s last day they needed a Falcons victory; Atlanta obliged with a 19-17 home win over New Orleans.
Playoff Setup and Recent History
The reward for Carolina’s improbable run is a Wild Card matchup at Bank of America Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams. The teams met five weeks ago, when the Panthers forced three Stafford turnovers and prevailed 31-28.
Sub-.500 Playoff Teams (Non-Strike Seasons)
| Year | Team | Record | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carolina Panthers | 8-9 | TBD |
| 2022 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8-9 | Lost Wild Card |
| 2020 | Washington | 7-9 | Lost Wild Card |
| 2014 | Carolina Panthers | 7-8-1 | Lost Divisional |
| 2010 | Seattle Seahawks | 7-9 | Lost Divisional |
Only the 2010 Seahawks and 2014 Panthers have won a postseason game with a losing record; no such team has ever reached a conference title contest.
Key Takeaways
- Carolina is the fifth non-strike division winner to enter the playoffs below .500
- The NFC South has produced three of those five teams
- The Panthers will face a Rams squad they recently defeated, adding intrigue to Wild Card Weekend
History says an 8-9 team rarely lasts long, but the Panthers will try to extend their surprise season when Matthew Stafford and Co. visit Charlotte next week.
