All the Carolina Panthers can do now is watch the NFL on television Sunday.
For the second straight week, the Panthers failed to clinch the NFC South championship, falling 16-14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a mistake-prone, Week 18 outing at a rainy Raymond James Stadium.
The 8-9 Panthers can still clinch their first divisional title since 2015 if the Atlanta Falcons (7-9), winners of three consecutive games, beat the New Orleans Saints (6-10), winners of four in a row, Sunday. If the Saints win, the Buccaneers, who entered Saturday having lost seven of their last eight games, would clinch their fifth straight division title.
“We found a way to win,” Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield told ESPN. “Tough divisional opponent. We did everything we could today. We’ll sit back and see what happens.”
The Panthers found a way to lose.
Lacking execution early, the Panthers could not overcome at least three crucial officiating calls that Panthers coach Dave Canales described on Panthers.com as calls “that could have gone either way.”
A fumble on a fourth-quarter flea flicker play also could end up costing the Panthers their first playoff appearance since 2017.
X (Twitter) users responded to the Panthers blowing their second straight opportunity to clinch the division …
Panthers squandered another opportunity to clinch the NFC South. pic.twitter.com/dqQk9hhrfg
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) January 4, 2026
Following the Dec. 28 loss to the visiting Seattle Seahawks, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said he would “flush” the outing in 24 hours. Young returned to work Tuesday with a pep in his step …
#Panthers QB Bryce Young walks to #NFL practice Tuesday … pic.twitter.com/pvYpD3h9sy
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) December 31, 2025
Saturday’s establishing shot …
Raymond James Stadium tá pronto!
: #CARvsTB ao vivo na @espnbrasil e NFL Game Pass | #NFLnaESPN pic.twitter.com/1je1fD81XP
— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) January 3, 2026
The Week 18 matchup meant something, just not everything …
Fixed it. #CARvsTB / #NOvsATL pic.twitter.com/u1e7dgbTq5
— Just Because Keith Malinak (@KeithMalinak) January 3, 2026
After establishing the running game early and Mayfield converted a key first down off a scramble and threw an opening-drive touchdown pass to tight end Cade Otton, his first score on 53 receptions this season …
Baker let it rip
pic.twitter.com/ZblZ1t8QeK
— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2026
Mayfield celebrated as if to say: “This is our house” …
6⃣ =
: #ForTheCelly @BudLight pic.twitter.com/vVsFDrbdb9
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 3, 2026
Dominating the first quarter, the Buccaneers opened up a 10-0 lead on Chase McLaughlin’s 29-yard field goal at 1:57 of the first quarter. The Bucs compiled 130 yards on 19 plays, while the Panthers produced zero yards on four plays. The Panthers finished with just seven plays over the opening 15 minutes …
Good to have 9⃣4⃣ back on our side
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 3, 2026
The Panthers’ offense started generating momentum in the second quarter, scoring on a Tommy Tremble 8-yard TD pass from Young …
The @Panthers take advantage of the turnover!
Bryce Young finds Tommy Tremble for 6⃣
CARvsTB on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/SVv4vt3Jiw— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2026
On the first run of the second half, Panthers running back Rico Dowdle surpassed 1,350 scrimmage yards, earning a $1 million bonus. Dowdle will be a free agent this offseason …
RICO DOWDLE HITS 1350 SCRIMMAGE YARDS AND SECURES $1M IN INCENTIVES
pic.twitter.com/blnXaSw4r0
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 3, 2026
The Buccaneers were playing with two 21-year-old rookie cornerbacks. One of them, Jacob Parrish, made Young pay for a floating pass. It was the second of his career …
Jacob Parrish records the 2⃣nd INT of his career
CARvsTB on ESPN/ABC
Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN Apppic.twitter.com/sRBqBDAZ5j— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) January 3, 2026
The Panthers endured an odd call early in the second half. On what appeared to be a backward pass, an erroneous whistle stopped a live play and they eventually were forced to punt. Young was not happy …
It looked like #Panthers QB Bryce Young was unhappy with the officiating on the backwards pass that was incorrectly ruled upon– and rightfully so: pic.twitter.com/agvgQO0qXt
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) January 3, 2026
Another questionable call occurred on Tetairoa McMillan in the middle of the third period. Coming off the line, the rookie wide receiver engaged in a hand fight with a defender playing man-on-man coverage. McMillan caught a 31-yard pass, but was called for offensive pass interference …
ONE OF THE WORST CALLS EVER:#Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was called for an offensive pass interference on a massive completion on third down.
This wiped out a major play and forced Caroline to punt. Completely changing the game.
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) January 3, 2026
Here is the pool report from referee Brad Allen, covering the two questionable calls …
Ref Brad Allen’s interview with pool reporter @gregauman on the erroneous whistle on the Rico Dowdle play, and Tetairoa McMillan’s OPI. pic.twitter.com/bQvtWxaVtr
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 4, 2026
Trailing 16-7 in the fourth quarter, the Panthers attempted a comeback until a “total debacle” occurred when Dowdle slipped and lost control of a flea-flicker attempt. Young had a chance to recover the fumble, but couldn’t corral it. Canales spoke on the play during his post-game press conference, via The Charlotte Observer …
Canales on the flea flicker call: pic.twitter.com/jGhuOrsOPg
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) January 4, 2026
Young hit wide receiver Jalen Coker for an 8-yard touchdown with 2:25 remaining. In 12 of his 14 NFL wins, Young is credited with fourth-quarter comebacks, the most since 2023. Sunday, though, ended up another missed opportunity …
THE PANTHERS ARE NOT GOING AWAY EASY
A playoff spot is on the line
pic.twitter.com/sRWnpdXChy
— ESPN (@espn) January 4, 2026
Final score: Buccaneers 16, Panthers 14 …
The Krewe took care of business & secured the W at home
pic.twitter.com/M9mpk6XIHu
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 4, 2026
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