NFC South Finish Could Reopen NFL Seeding Debate as Bucs-Panthers Eye 8-9 Division Title

Overview

• Carolina clinches the NFC South with a win at Tampa Bay or with a Saints loss to the Falcons, while a Buccaneers title at 8-9 would require a New Orleans win.
• Under the current format, the division winner would host on wild-card weekend regardless of record, a scenario that has intensified calls to reseed by overall record.
• Commissioner Roger Goodell has praised the Lions’ withdrawn proposal as worth continued evaluation, keeping the topic alive for future owners’ meetings.
• If the NFC South champion finishes 8-9, it would mark the seventh sub-.500 playoff team since the merger-era exceptions, and either the Panthers or Buccaneers would become the first franchise to do it twice.
• Per CBS Sports’ Doug Clawson, the Panthers could become the first playoff team since 1970 with zero wins as a betting favorite after going 0-2 when favored and posting upset wins over the Packers and Rams.