After a thrilling 30-27 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers have improved to a 6-5 record, good for second place in the NFC South, behind only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dave Canales’ squad picked up a key division victory over Atlanta, closing the gap between Carolina and Tampa Bay, who lost to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. With the NFC South race heating up, how likely are the Panthers to win the division? Here’s everything to know about the playoff race.
Can the Carolina Panthers Still Win the NFC South?
After missing the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons, the Panthers have already won six games in 2025, with six remaining on their schedule.
With Sunday’s win over the Falcons, Carolina’s chances to make the postseason increased from 24.2% to 38.4%, according to PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter. Canales and company have now swept the season series with Atlanta, putting up 30 points in each matchup. The Panthers hold a 3-3 record against divisional foes.
Most passing yards in a game by a Panthers player in franchise history:
🥇 Bryce Young – 448
🥈 Cam Newton – 432LEGENDARY. pic.twitter.com/OtVKbIYySY
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) November 16, 2025
Quarterback Bryce Young led the charge for the Panthers, throwing for a career-high and franchise-record 448 yards and three touchdowns, according to ESPN. An eye-popping 54-yard catch and run by Tommy Tremble set up the game-winning field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald in overtime.
With Sunday’s loss to the Bills, the Buccaneers have now dropped two straight games and three of their last four. Despite a strong offensive showing from a depleted unit, highlighted by Sean Tucker’s 140 total yards and three touchdowns, the defense surrendered 44 points, special teams struggled again, and Todd Bowles made questionable calls.
Tampa Bay is simply trying to stay afloat until Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin, and Mike Evans return. Still, defensive lapses, special teams woes, and coaching decisions remain glaring weaknesses that those returning players won’t fix.
The Panthers are closing in, and with two matchups against Tampa Bay late in the season, the NFC South is far from secure.
According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, the Buccaneers’ playoff probability fell from 87.6% to 78%, while their division title odds dropped from 82.6% to 72%.
The Panthers control their own destiny, in a sense, as half of their remaining six games are against NFC South opponents, including two dates with the division-leading Buccaneers.
Carolina has already posted its highest win total since 2023 (7-10), and this surprise team appears hungry for more.