Home for the holidays, the Carolina Panthers entertain the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon with control of the NFC South on the line.

New Orleans’ win was sealed by kicker Charlie Smyth, who hit a 47-yard field goal with two seconds left. That field goal was set up by a costly 15-yard penalty committed by Panthers safety Lathan Ransom, who hit Saints quarterback Tyler Shough while he was sliding, turning what would have been a 62-yard field goal into a 47-yard field goal.

The Panthers were stunned by the Saints, who saw a game-winning field goal fly through the uprights with two seconds remaining to give them a 20-17 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The loss not only completes the Saints’ second sweep of the Panthers in three seasons but also drops the Panthers to 7-7 on the season — and robs them of sole possession of the NFC South lead.

The Bucs currently hold a slim lead over the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, and two more wins would lock up a division title. A few losses, though, could mean the end of the season and potentially major changes in Tampa.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 season has not gone according to plan, but somehow, someway, they are still alive for their fifth consecutive NFC South title and

Carolina got their ducks in a row for the big matchup on Tuesday, with the release of their initial depth chart for Week 16. Here, without any changes from last week, are the ranks for this weekend .