The 2025-26 NFL season has been a rollercoaster ride, but with the final games played, we finally have clarity on the standings in the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have both been chasing a playoff berth, and their Week 18 matchup will determine their playoff fate .
The Carolina Panthers, with a season record of 8-9, have been in a fierce competition with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons, all tied at 8-9. The Panthers held a slight edge in the tiebreaker, as they managed a 3-1 round-robin record against the other two teams .
The Panthers' victory over the Bucs in Week 18 secured their position in the playoffs. This win was crucial, as it gave them a 3-1 round-robin record, which proved to be the decisive factor in the three-way tiebreaker . Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were unable to secure the playoffs, as their hopes were dashed by the Falcons’ win over the New Orleans Saints, which resulted in a 3-1 round-robin record for the Panthers .
The last matchup between the Panthers and the Buccaneers was intense. Despite a valiant effort by the Bucs, they lost to the Panthers 16-14, which ultimately sealed their playoff fate .
The NFC South title was a nail-biter, especially with the Buccaneers' 16-14 win over the Panthers. However, this victory was not enough to clinch the division title, as it required the Buccaneers to rely on external factors, specifically the Atlanta Falcons, to secure the NFC South title .
As the dust settles, the Panthers are officially in the playoffs, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been eliminated. The Panthers' strong round-robin performance and their victory over the Buccaneers in Week 18 were pivotal in securing their playoff spot .
