Overview
- Atlanta beat New Orleans 19-17, with Dee Alford’s 59-yard interception return setting up a late field goal that proved decisive.
- Carolina prevailed in a three-way tiebreaker with Tampa Bay and Atlanta after all three finished 8-9, ending the Buccaneers’ four-year division run.
- As NFC South champions, the Panthers will host a wild-card game at Bank of America Stadium against either the Rams or the 49ers.
- It is Carolina’s first division title since 2015, and the franchise becomes the NFL’s first to make the playoffs twice with a losing record.
- Head coach Dave Canales said “Everybody’s record is obsolete now,” as the outcome refueled discussion about postseason reseeding proposals championed by the Lions.