The Carolina Panthers have taken sole control of first place in the NFC South and now are in control of their playoff destiny. Following the Atlanta Falcons’ comeback 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday,

Whoever wins the NFC South will host a playoff game, which could eventually mean that the Rams go on the road to play the Bucs or the Panthers, and that is so frustrating. Winning a division should count for something, but it sometimes feels like mediocre football is being rewarded, as would be the case this year in the NFC South.

After Thursday night’s collapse at home against the Falcons, the Bucs have surrendered first place in the NFC South for the first time all season. If the playoffs began today, Tampa Bay would be left sitting at home.

Despite all that, the Bucs remain the betting favorites to win the division. The current betting odds have the Bucs as the -130 favorites to win the division, and the Panthers as the +110 underdogs. It's a two-team race, as the Falcons and Saints are both mathematically eliminated.

There's not much for the New Orleans Saints (3-10) to play for over the final four games of the 2025 NFL season, but there is something the Saints can do on Sunday that would have a massive impact on the NFL playoff picture.

The upset knocked the Bucs out of first place in the division and put the Carolina Panthers on top by one-half game. With its fifth loss in its past six games, including a 24-20 setback to NFC South cellar-dweller New Orleans on Sunday, Tampa Bay dropped to 7-7 for the 2025 season.

Carolina isn’t just in the playoff hunt. They’re back in the national spotlight, and every remaining snap could shape the NFC South title race.

The New Orleans Saints (3-10) face the Carolina Panthers (7-6) on Sunday at Caesars Superdome. The Saints beat the Panthers 17-7 in November in Charlotte and have won four of