The Carolina Panthers had it in the bag. They had a lead late in the fourth quarter, and a win would've made next week's home bout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bottling up Baker Mayfield on Sunday, limiting penalties and getting Tetairoa McMillan move involved also make the list.

The Panthers have been pretty successful on fourth-down plays. But the loss to the Saints highlighted a weakness in short-yardage situations.

Whatever happens the rest of the way, we can say with absolute certainty that this 2025 NFL season has been a success for the Carolina Panthers. They're in yea

With a victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers would have had an opportunity to clinch their first NFC South title since 2015 in their next game. But the Panthers lost to the Saints 20-17 and will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with the teams tied for the division lead.

Two issues for the Panthers moving forward are the schedule and overcoming inconsistency.

The Carolina Panthers are in the driver seat of the NFC South title, but their playoff hopes hinge on Week 16.

Check out the game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 14, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/panthers/onsi as Jalen Coker makes bold claim about the Carolina Panthers and their identity. If the Carolina Panthers can win their next two games, they'll win the NFC South and go to the playoffs.

Panthers rookie linebacker Lathan Ransom made a huge mistake on Sunday with nine seconds left when he hit a sliding Tyler Shough on the quarterback's final carry of regulation. That drew a penalty that moved the Saints 15 yards closer to the end zone, turning a 62-yard field-goal attempt by Charlie Smyth into a 47 yarder.