Why the Panthers are about to play one of the biggest games in franchise history

6 days ago 2

The day is Nov. 8, 2018, and the 6-2 Carolina Panthers are on the road to meet with the 5-2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers for a Thursday night matchup. But the prime-time showcase went awry, particularly when linebacker T.J. Watt went unblocked and slammed into the right shoulder of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton right before the half.

Carolina's eventual 52-21 loss that evening kickstarted a poisonous seven-game losing streak and torpedoed their playoff hopes, while leaving their franchise passer with a career-altering injury. And since then, the franchise hasn't been the same.

Their downfall in 2018 marked the first season of a now-franchise-record seven-year playoff drought. Over that time, they've gone through six different head coaches, including two interims, and a laundry list's worth of failed quarterback projects.

Well, that long nightmare could end here—in Week 18 of the 2025 campaign—where a refreshing dream awaits. The Panthers, at a modest 8-8, will head into Raymond James Stadium on Saturday with an opportunity to climb out of the NFL's basement and into the throne of the NFC South.

Tomorrow's showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers not only represents a chance for the organization to capture their first division title since the 2015 Super Bowl run, but also the progress the current regime of general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales has accomplished. Even though there have been a few bumps on the way, the road paved by both Morgan and Canales has led the Panthers to the doorstep of the playoffs.

A win over the Bucs—who, by the way, have ruled over the NFC South since 2021—officially clinches the division for the Panthers. And while there is an alternate route there, one that would see the Atlanta Falcons take care of the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Carolina knows that their shot is in front of them.

"It's a true championship moment," Canales told reporters on Monday. "Shirts-and-hats games—it's what you work so hard for all year. It's right in front of us. Prime-time football in Tampa. It's gonna be fantastic, we're excited about it and that's enough. That's enough for the guys to understand—this is your shot, this is the last shot we have."

Gone is the hopelessness. Absent is the bitter disappointment. Missing is the pure frustration.

Carolina has made progress.

No, they are not complete and are not one or even two pieces away from the first Lombardi Trophy of their 31-year existence. They are, however, perfectly imperfect for this moment—and, as they've shown for several months, the definition of "Keep Pounding."

The Panthers can take a tangible step forward on Saturday. A victory would validate their current rebuilding process and provide hope for a starving fan base.

Now, it’s up to the players to get the job done, and it's time for a head coach to throw everything out there to make it happen.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Why the Panthers are about to play one of the biggest games in franchise history

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