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.

There will be NFL clinching scenarios on the table for the first time of the 2025 season in Week 15. Here's a look at the playoff bracket thus far.

The New Orleans Saints have long been out of the running for the NFC South. But they still have a chance to impact the race.

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.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Saints’ defense, even under different coordinators, has repeatedly befuddled Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. And Sunday (Dec. 14), the stakes are as high as they’ve been for Carolina’s top 2023 draft choice as he tries again to avoid another dreadful showing against New Orleans.

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.

Even though an Atlanta Falcons’ victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would put Carolina at the top of the NFC South standings, Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown couldn’t bring himself to cheer for the Falcons on Thursday night. It was a bridge too far for the former Auburn All-American after six seasons in the division.

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.