At a Glance
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 16-14 in Week 18, keeping playoff hopes alive.
- Both teams finish 8-9, leaving the NFC South winner to be decided Sunday.
- The Sunday showdown between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons will decide the No. 4 seed.
- Why it matters: The outcome will set the stage for the wild-card matchups and determine the NFC South champion.
In a rain-soaked Week 18 clash, Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged the Carolina Panthers 16-14, keeping their playoff hopes alive while leaving the NFC South crown undecided. Both teams finish 8-9, and the final showdown between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday will decide who secures the No. 4 seed.
Tampa Bay vs. Carolina
The Buccaneers secured a narrow victory with a 16-14 score, while the Panthers struggled on the ground, gaining only 19 yards on 14 carries. Tampa Bay managed 140 yards on 42 attempts, showing a more balanced offensive attack.
NFC South Race
The winner of the NFC South will be determined on Sunday, Week 18. With the New Orleans Saints at 6-10 and the Atlanta Falcons at 7-9, the game will decide whether the 8-9 Panthers or Buccaneers clinch the No. 4 seed. If the Falcons win, the Panthers still advance; if Tyler Shough keeps his momentum, the Saints will help Tampa clinch.
| Team | Record | Head-to-Head | Key Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 8-9 | 16-14 | Baker Mayfield |
| Panthers | 8-9 | 14-16 | Bryce Young |
The game’s result will determine the playoff seeding and the path for both teams in the NFC.
Wild-Card Timeline
The wild-card round starts on Saturday, Jan 10, with the full schedule to be released late Sunday.
Key Takeaways
- Tampa Bay beats Carolina 16-14, keeping playoff hopes alive.
- Both teams finish 8-9; Sunday’s Saints-Falcons game decides the No. 4 seed.
- Wild-card round begins Jan 10; full schedule drops Sunday.
The outcome of Sunday’s game will shape the NFC playoffs and confirm the NFC South champion.
