US EditionBuccaneers edge Panthers to keep NFC South title hopes alive
- On Jan 3, 2026, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 16-14 in a rain-soaked game at Raymond James Stadium, snapping a four-game losing streak and avoiding elimination.
- Facing a first-and-10 at the Tampa 20, Panthers coach Dave Canales called a flea-flicker that ended in a fumble when Rico Dowdle slipped making the lateral, damaging Carolina's NFC South hopes.
- Lavonte David recovered the Dowdle fumble at the Tampa 30 in a signature late play as a 14-year veteran, while Cade Otton caught seven passes for 94 yards and an 18-yard touchdown.
- Both clubs sit at 8-9, meaning Sunday's Falcons-Saints game will decide the NFC South winner, with Tampa Bay holding a two-team tiebreaker over Carolina while Carolina retains a three-team tiebreaker if Atlanta also finishes 8-9.
- Special-Teams miscues mattered, as Carolina squandered chances with a blocked 38-yard field-goal try and a missed 54-yarder, while officials ruled an apparent backward pass incomplete, raising questions about Panthers' offense and execution.
108 Articles
108 Articles
The NFC South Gets The Week 18 It Deserves
Here is the only highlight I'm going to give you from Panthers-Bucs, because, frankly, it's what you deserve for clicking on a blog about the NFC South, thereby incentivizing the continued existence of the division when it ought to be consigned to the dustbin of history, or, barring that, launched into the Sun. It's the game's final play, as chaotic and unsuccessful and poorly thought-out as the division itself.
Queen City News
Fox8Panthers fans remain hopeful after 16-14 loss to the Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — The Panthers had a chance to seal the deal on the NFC South title and it slipped away as the ball slipped from players' hands Saturday. A rain-soaked game took place as the team once again faced off against the Buccaneers. This time, the Panthers ended their run of [...]
NFC South will be decided on Sunday after Panthers fall to Bucs
For the second-straight week, the Carolina Panthers fell short of securing the NFC South title. Carolina fell 16-14 on the road Saturday in Tampa Bay, putting their postseason fate in the hands of Atlanta.
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