The Carolina Panthers haven’t been to the NFC playoffs over the past seven seasons. They haven’t won the NFC South title since 2015, the season in which they advanced to Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
But the Panthers (8-9) ended both droughts ahead of Super Bowl 60, which also will be played in the 49ers’ home venue in Santa Clara, Calif. While Carolina lost to Tampa Bay in Week 18 with a chance to control its destiny, the Panthers got help when the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints to give Carolina a division title..
Here’s a breakdown of how the Panthers ended the regular season with an NFC South title:
LIVE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 18
NFL playoff bracket 2026
Here’s a look at the current potential initial matchups for this year’s playoffs (last updated 7:25 p.m. ET on Jan. 3):
Wild-card round
AFC
1. Denver Broncos (BYE)
2. New England Patriots vs. 7. Buffalo Bills
3. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. 6. Los Angeles Chargers
4. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 5. Houston Texans
NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks (BYE)
2. Chicago Bears vs. 7. Green Bay Packers
3. Philadelphia Eagles vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams
4. Carolina Panthers vs. 5. San Francisco 49ers
Panthers playoff picture
The Panthers were sitting outside of the playoff picture entering Sunday, but got help from the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers needed the Falcons to beat the New Orleans Saints, which is exactly what happened, allowing Carolina to advance to the playoffs due to a tiebreaker in its favor over Tampa Bay and Atlanta.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Seattle Seahawks* | 14-3 |
| 2 | Chicago Bears* | 11-5 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles* | 11-5 |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers* | 8-9 |
| 5 | San Francisco 49ers* | 12-5 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Rams* | 11-5 |
| 7 | Green Bay Packers* | 9-7-1 |
| 8 | Minnesota Vikings – eliminated | 9-8 |
| 9 | Detroit Lions – eliminated | 8-8 |
| 10 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers-eliminated | 8-9 |
| 11 | Atlanta Falcons – eliminated | 8-9 |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys – eliminated | 7-9-1 |
| 13 | New Orleans Saints – eliminated | 6-11 |
| 14 | Washington Commanders – eliminated | 4-12 |
| 15 | New York Giants – eliminated | 4-13 |
| 16 | Arizona Cardinals – eliminated | 3-13 |
*=clinched playoff spot
NFC South standings
With Tampa Bay’s win over Carolina in Week 18, the Buccaneers moved into first place in the NFC South. However, the Falcons win over teh Saints forced a three-way tiebreak, which Carolina won to secure first place.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Carolina Panthers | 8-9 |
| 2 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers-eliminated | 8-9 |
| 3 | Atlanta Falcons – eliminated | 8-9 |
| 4 | New Orleans Saints – eliminated | 6-11 |
Panthers clinching scenarios
The Panthers came into Week 18 controlling their own destiny. Carolina needed to beat Tampa Bay, and then the Panthers would win the NFC South and make the playoffs. Carolina lost to Tampa Bay in a rainy Saturday afternoon game.
This put the Buccaneers on top of the division. The lone hope for the Panthers rested with the Atlanta Falcons. When the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints in their Week 18 matchup on Sunday, Atlanta moved to 8-9.
This created a three-way tie for the NFC South and the tiebreakers in this scenario actually favored the Panthers, which means the Panthers will be the NFC’s No. 4 seed.
