Someone in the league office looked into their crystal ball earlier this year and sensed the NFC South title would come down to the Panthers and Buccaneers.

NFL - Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints - 12/14/2025 National Football League New Orleans Saints Top Plays Devin Neal

The Panthers still can win the NFC South, but the path to do that is much more difficult than if they'd beaten the Saints.

Dave Canales’s well-rested team were outright leaders of the NFC South with a 7-6 record entering Sunday’s clash with the Saints at the Superdome. When Dave Canales’s team last took the field, they were putting the finishing touches on a 31-28 upset of the formidable Los Angeles Rams at Charlotte in Week 13.

NFL - Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints - 12/14/2025 Charlie Smyth National Football League New Orleans Saints Top Plays

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle is on the verge of hitting an historic landmark for undrafted free agents in NFL history.

At the top, the Panthers' decision to punt on Jalon Walker and target Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 overall in the draft has aged particularly well. McMillan enters Week 15 leading all rookies with 826 receiving yards and six touchdowns, including four in his last three games.

The Panthers can lock up the NFC South title in 2025 by winning their next two games. It would be their first division title since 2015.