The Carolina Panthers didn’t take the field this past weekend, but they might’ve just had one of their most important Sundays of the season. Thanks to a surprising 24-20 home loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers-despite resting on a Week 14 bye-woke up Monday morning tied for first place in the NFC South.
At 7-6, with four games to go, Carolina suddenly finds itself not just in the playoff hunt, but in control of its own destiny. It’s a scenario that felt far-fetched a few weeks ago, but here we are. If the Panthers can sweep the Bucs in Weeks 16 and 18, they’re NFC South champs for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 run.
That kind of momentum shift didn’t go unnoticed in the national power rankings. Let’s break down where the Panthers landed across several major outlets-and what it all means heading into the stretch run.
USA Today: Rank 14 (+3)
Nate Davis’ Take:
Carolina's bye week turned into a strategic win. With the Bucs stumbling, the Panthers now have a clear path to the division crown.
Davis points out a poetic twist: if Carolina wins out and takes the South, they’d return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015-when they played in Super Bowl 50, held in Santa Clara. That just so happens to be the site of this season’s Super Bowl 60.
Coincidence? Maybe.
But it’s the kind of symmetry that gets fans dreaming.
Power Rankings Roundup: What the Experts Are Saying
CBS Sports: Rank 14 (+5)
Pete Prisco highlighted the obvious: Carolina’s tied atop the division and has two games left against Tampa Bay.
But he also issued a warning-don’t look past the Saints this week. The last time these two teams met, New Orleans walked away with a 17-7 win.
This isn’t a layup.
ESPN: Rank 18 (+2)
David Newton zeroed in on a surprising stat: the Panthers rank 31st in sacks this season, with just 18.
That’s a step back from last year’s total of 27, which was already dead last. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that invested heavily in improving its pass rush and is built around Ejiro Evero’s pressure-heavy 3-4 scheme.
Still, Newton notes that Carolina’s defense has improved overall-16th in points allowed-and that’s kept them competitive.
Bleacher Report: Rank 16 (+3)
Gary Davenport didn’t mince words: the next four games are the most important of Bryce Young’s young career.
The Panthers shocked the Rams in Week 13, and now they’re staring at a four-game gauntlet that could define their season-and Young’s future. A road trip to New Orleans is up first, followed by a brutal three-week stretch featuring two games against Tampa Bay and a visit from the Seahawks.
This is where quarterbacks earn their stripes.
The Athletic:
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall put Carolina’s playoff odds at 31 percent-higher than most expected at this point.
But they also pointed out a harsh reality: the Panthers have the 13th-toughest remaining schedule. And the Bucs?
They’ve had Carolina’s number, winning nine of the last 10 matchups. If the Panthers want to flip the script, it’s going to take more than just good vibes-it’ll take execution.
Sports Illustrated:
Conor Orr, never one to shy away from a big-picture take, called the NFL’s decision to schedule two Panthers-Bucs matchups in the final month “a masterstroke.”
And he’s not wrong. What once looked like a throwaway division could now be the most dramatic playoff race in the league.
Carolina-Tampa Bay in Weeks 16 and 18? That’s must-watch football.
Pro Football Talk:
Mike Florio kept it simple: if Carolina pulls this off and makes the playoffs, drinks are on the house. Hard to argue with that.
The Bryce Young Factor
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room-or rather, the rookie under center. Bryce Young has had an up-and-down season, and that’s putting it mildly.
One week he looks like the franchise guy, the next he’s struggling to find rhythm. But now, with everything on the line, Young has a chance to not only lead Carolina to the postseason but also solidify his role as the long-term answer at quarterback.
The stakes are high. Not just for the team, but for Young’s future. If he finishes strong, it could lock in his fifth-year option and quiet any lingering doubts about his trajectory.
What’s Next?
Carolina heads to New Orleans this week for a rematch with a Saints team that already beat them once this season. It’s a winnable game, but nothing is guaranteed in the NFC South. After that, it’s a three-week sprint through the toughest part of their schedule: home vs. the Bucs, home vs. the Seahawks, then back on the road to face Tampa in Week 18.
The division title-and a playoff berth-could come down to that final game.
Final Word
The Panthers didn’t play in Week 14, but they still managed to climb the standings and the power rankings. Now, they’ve got a clear shot at the postseason.
But here’s the thing: the margin for error is razor-thin. Every snap, every drive, every decision from here on out matters.
It’s time to find out what this team-and its quarterback-are really made of.