Overview
- Tampa Bay fell to 7-7 after surrendering a late lead to Atlanta, moving Carolina into first place in the division.
- Carolina can maintain control by beating the Saints in Week 15, with two Panthers–Buccaneers games still ahead.
- The teams meet in Weeks 16 and 18 in matchups that are likely to decide the NFC South.
- If the head-to-head series is split, the divisional-record tiebreaker applies, and Carolina would hold the edge with a win over New Orleans.
- FanSided’s analysis says Tampa Bay’s clearest playoff path is to sweep Carolina, with a wildcard route viewed as unlikely.