Panthers Control Playoff Destiny After Rams Upset

The Carolina Panthers are in a strong position for the playoffs, controlling their own destiny for the first time since 2017 after a crucial upset against the Los Angeles Rams. According to Cat Scratch Reader, this victory has elevated fan confidence to a season-high of 91%, despite prior doubts about quarterback Bryce Young.

With a 7-6 record, the Panthers sit just half a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South, making their path to the playoffs particularly interesting. The Panthers' best route to the postseason involves winning the NFC South title, which they can achieve by winning out, while they also have some leeway for losses depending on the performance of other teams.

The Buccaneers recently suffered an upset loss to the New Orleans Saints, which allowed the Panthers to catch up and create a tense division race, as noted by Pewter Report. The remaining schedule for both teams includes critical matchups that could ultimately decide the division title and playoff berths, particularly the upcoming games against each other on December 21.

In this playoff race, every game becomes vital, with the Panthers needing to secure victories while also rooting against other NFC contenders like the Packers and Seahawks, as highlighted in Cat Scratch Reader's playoff rooting guide.