'We Have to Win': NFC South on the Line in Week 18 Panthers-Buccaneers Matchup

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one game away from finishing off an epic collapse and entering an offseason of uncertainty.

The Carolina Panthers are closing in on their first playoff berth in eight years.

Two teams heading in opposite directions battle for the NFC South title on Saturday. But this isn’t a winner-take-all game.

The Panthers (8-8) can still clinch the division title with a loss because the Buccaneers (7-9) have to win and the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) must lose or tie the New Orleans Saints (6-10) for Tampa Bay to get in.

"First and foremost, we have to win on Saturday, so that’s the main focus," Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said. "[We] can’t control what happens in the game Sunday, but we can control how Saturday goes, how we prepare. ... The goal is still to go out there and try and find a way to win. Obviously, then play the waiting game, but we have to take care of our business and that’s winning on Saturday."

If the Panthers win, they’ll earn their first division crown since Ron Rivera and Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago.

Carolina has gone through three coaching changes and started 10 different quarterbacks since their wild-card berth in 2017.

Dave Canales took over as head coach in 2024 after one season as the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers, where he helped Mayfield revive his career. He’s turned the Panthers around and Bryce Young is still developing in his third season since he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.

The Buccaneers have lost seven of eight and eight of 10. Most organizations would make significant changes after freefalling. Todd Bowles has led the team to three division titles in his first three seasons, but is 1-3 in the playoffs.

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