Panthers, despite loss to Bucs, still have 2 ways to clinch playoff berth

5 days ago 2

The Carolina Panthers are now huge Atlanta Falcons fans.

With a chance to capture the NFC South on Saturday, the Panthers fell short—eating a deflating 16-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A win would have clinched Carolina their first playoff berth since 2017 and their first division title since 2015.

Alas, they were unable to take care of their own business—and now, their hopes rest on the wings of another rival.

Carolina can still take the South and make the postseason through one of two outcomes in Atlanta's regular-season finale against the New Orleans Saints—a Falcons victory or a tie. If the Saints come out on top, the Buccaneers will take the division for a fifth consecutive year.

Head coach Dave Canales, following the loss in Tampa, talked about their fate now having to be determined by another team.

"And now, it's in the hands another game—and that's not what we were hoping for," Canales told reporters. "But there's still hope, they're still alive. The locker room is certainly sick about a missed opportunity."

Atlanta and New Orleans kick off from Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET tomorrow.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers, despite loss to Bucs, still have 2 ways to clinch playoff berth

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