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The Carolina Panthers earned a key victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. If they can do it again in Week 18, they will head to the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2017.
It would also allow the Panthers to win the NFC South for the first time since 2015, when they went 15-1 under the guidance of Ron Rivera. Carolina made it to Super Bowl 50 that season, which it lost 24-10 to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.
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Getting to the playoffs would be a nice, feather-in-the-cap moment for second-year coach Dave Canales. He has engineered a rapid turnaround in Carolina, helping quarterback Bryce Young make strides across their two seasons together while rebuilding the team's defense into a solid force.
Who will the Panthers face in the playoffs if they can stave off competition from the Buccaneers in the NFC South and win the division? Below is a breakdown of the team's playoff scenarios and potential wild-card opponents.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Who will Panthers play in playoffs?
The Panthers can only make it into the playoffs as the NFC's No. 4 seed. That guarantees the team will play the top wild-card team – which will be the second-place finisher in the NFC West – should they make it into the postseason.
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Here's a look at the Panthers' potential wild-card opponents in 2025:
Panthers playoff scenarios
The Panthers will win the NFC South and be the conference's No. 4 seed if any of the following scenarios occur in Week 18:
Panthers win or tie vs. Buccaneers
Panthers lose vs. Buccaneers AND Falcons win vs. Saints
If that happens, the Panthers will face the 49ers, Seahawks or Rams in the wild-card round. Below is a look at how each matchup could occur:
San Francisco 49ers
49ers lose vs. Seahawks AND Rams lose or tie vs. Cardinals OR
49ers tie vs. Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks lose vs. 49ers
Los Angeles Rams
49ers lose vs. Seahawks AND Rams win vs. Cardinals
NFL playoff schedule
The NFL playoffs will kick off on Jan. 10 with the league's first two wild-card matchups before concluding on Feb. 8 with Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
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Wild card weekend
All times Eastern
Saturday, Jan. 10
AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 11
AFC/NFC wild card game: 1 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 12
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Divisional round
Saturday, Jan. 17
AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18
AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.
AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.
NFL conference championship round
Sunday, Jan. 25
AFC championship game: 3 p.m.
NFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl 60
Date: Feb. 8, 2026
Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: NBC
NFL playoff picture Week 18
AFC
Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who could Panthers play in playoffs? Breaking down scenarios
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