Panthers playoff picture: What Week 18 vs. Buccaneers means for NFC standings

Well, that happened. The Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the weather, and the referees combined to defeat the Panthers hopes for a clean entry to the playoffs this season. There will be a lot to say about this game come Monday, but for right now all eyes are on the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints for tomorrow’s proxy NFC South championship. If the Falcons win then the Panthers win and if the Saints win then the Bucs win. The only things for certain right now is that the champion of the NFC South will have a losing, 8-9 record and that they will host a home playoff game for at least the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Panthers finish 8-9

• If the Bucs sweep then the Panthers are out.

• If they split AND the Bucs beat Miami AND the Atlanta Falcons lose one more game then the Panthers are out

• If they split AND the Falcons beat the Saints then the Panthers are in

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NFC South standings

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-9

2. Carolina Panthers 8-9

3. Atlanta Falcons 7-9

4. New Orleans Saints 5-10

Current NFC playoff picture

1. Seattle Seahawks 13-3

2. Chicago Bears 11-4

3. Philadelphia Eagles 10-5

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-9

5. San Francisco 49ers 11-4

6. Los Angeles Rams 11-4

7. Green Bay Packers 9-6-1

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-9

NFC teams eliminated from playoff contention

Dallas Cowboys

Minnesota Vikings

Detroit Lions

Atlanta Falcons

Arizona Cardinals

New Orleans Saints

Washington Commanders

New York Giants