The Carolina Panthers will have to do it the hard way to get to the NFL playoffs.
With an opportunity to clinch their first NFC South title since 2015 with a win over the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on Sunday and Dec. 21, against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers dropped a 20-17 decision.
If the Panthers had a way to beat a last-place club, they could have taken an easier route.
Now, the Panthers (7-7) will face the co-division-leading Buccaneers twice over the next three weeks with the divisional title on the line. Tampa Bay comes to Charlotte, N.C., next weekend and plays host for the Week 18 regular-season finale.
Panthers coach Dave Canales lamented the missed opportunities and lack of execution. They scored only 10 points after an efficient touchdown drive on their opening possession and yielded at least four third-down plays and at least 13 plays. They also committed a plethora of penalties.
“We have to move on quick,” Canales said during his post-game press conference, via Panthers.com. “Penalties killed us.”
So did Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who beat the Panthers for the second time this season.
NFL X (Twitter) Fans Responded
The Saints celebrated a win after coming back from a 10-point deficit …
“CHARLIE! CHARLIE! CHARLIE!”
In the #Saints locker room after the dramatic win vs the Panthers
pic.twitter.com/m1Wp5N6ZFJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2025
Quarterback Bryce Young, who has a history of struggling at the Superdome, shared a pregame moment with his family …
Special moment with the fam pic.twitter.com/dcBHYGixqF
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 14, 2025
The Saints wanted to prove they had something to play for. They did …
“Pull out all the receipts!”
– @Demario__Davis #Saints | @CoxComm pic.twitter.com/mf8FKX1ZWj
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 14, 2025
Entering Sunday, the Saints’ defense allowed scores on eight opening possessions. Make it nine as the Panthers executed a 13-play drive, capped by running back Rico Dowdle’s touchdown run …
Rico gets us rollin’
: FOX
Posts and reposts = 2 votes
Rico Dowdle | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/keQ1kzrp4m
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 14, 2025
The Saints entered Sunday with a league-low 41-percent red-zone scoring rate. After being forced to punt on their opening two possessions, they scored on running back Devin Neal’s scamper. It completed a 17-play, 95-yard drive …
TAKE IT TO EM ROOK!
Touchdown Devin Neal
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 14, 2025
Young threw wide receiver Jalen Coker open for a 32-yard, third-quarter TD, giving the Panthers a 17-7 advantage. The Panthers wouldn’t score again …
Bryce Young with a DIME to Jalen Coker to extend the @Panthers lead!
CARvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/hNjCsR7fa9
— NFL (@NFL) December 14, 2025
The Panthers, who converted on 23 of their opening 32 fourth-down plays, including their first two Sunday, should have gone with a QB sneak with just a quarter-yard to gain. The handoff gave the defenders a chance to react …
Panthers didn’t get there, Saints stop on 4th down!#Saints
— SleeperSaints (@SleeperSaints) December 14, 2025
After emerging from the medical tent after a failed fourth-down run a series earlier, Shough proved why he’s being talked about in NFL circles as the next Archie Manning. Olave, who had only one catch despite being one of the most targeted players in the NFL, came alive on a late fourth-quarter drive, compiling four catches. His scoring reception tied the game at 17-all …
THE SAINTS TIE THE GAME UP LATE IN THE FOURTH!
(
: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/suqKjycjy1
— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) December 15, 2025
Saints kicker Charlie Smyth connected on the game-winner with 2 seconds remaining …
SAINTS UPSET THE PANTHERS OFF A GAME-WINNING FG
Saints playing spoiler to the Bucs and Panthers in back-to-back weeks
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/rbvx9ve3vu— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 15, 2025
Final score: Saints 20, Panthers 17 …
CHARLIE FOR THE WIN!!#Saints | @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/mSnpP6IdUJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2025
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