> At a Glance
> – Carolina secured the 2025 NFC South title with an 8-9 record
> – Three-way tiebreaker eliminated Tampa Bay and Atlanta
> – First playoff berth since 2017 and second-ever with a losing mark
> – Why it matters: Carolina becomes only franchise to reach postseason twice with a sub-.500 record, hosting the Rams next
The Carolina Panthers are playoff-bound despite finishing below .500, claiming the NFC South crown in a chaotic final weekend that saw three teams end at 8-9.
How the Panthers Won the Division
Carolina needed help after falling 16-14 at Tampa Bay in Week 17. The division title hinged on Atlanta’s home finale against New Orleans-two eliminated teams-on the last day of the regular season.
The Panthers’ path was simple: a Falcons win would give Carolina the tiebreaker over both rivals. Atlanta delivered, edging the Saints 19-17 and locking the Panthers into the No. 4 seed.
Up Next: Stafford and the Rams
Wild Card Weekend sends Matthew Stafford and the No. 5 Los Angeles Rams to Charlotte. The matchup is a rematch from early December, when Carolina forced three turnovers and won 31-28 at home.
NFL’s Losing-Record Playoff Club
Carolina joins an exclusive list of sub-.500 division winners in non-strike seasons:
| Season | 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 |
- Five sub-.500 teams have now won divisions; three came from the NFC South
- Only 2010 Seahawks and 2014 Panthers won a playoff game with a losing record
- No team has advanced past the Divisional Round at 8-9 or worse
Key Takeaways
- Carolina becomes the first franchise to make the postseason twice with a losing record
- The NFC South has produced three of the five 8-9 division champs
- A sub-.500 team has never reached the conference championship
- Matthew Stafford and the Rams return to Charlotte just five weeks after their Week 13 loss
The Panthers will try to defy history again when they host Los Angeles in the Wild Card Round.
