Overview
- The NFL scheduled Panthers at Buccaneers for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET with national coverage on ABC and ESPN.
- Carolina enters at 8-8 after alternating wins and losses since Week 7, while Tampa Bay is 7-9 after dropping six of its past seven following a 6-2 start.
- A Week 17 loss to the Seahawks cost the Panthers an early clinch, and head coach Dave Canales said the focus has shifted to handling business at Tampa.
- The NFC South champion is slated to face the runner-up from the NFC West, and the Packers are already locked into the No. 7 seed.
- A division title would bring a home playoff game for Carolina, something the franchise has not done since the 2015 season.