> At a Glance
> – Carolina secured the 2025 NFC South title with an 8-9 record, their first crown since 2015
> – Three-way 8-9 logjam among Panthers, Buccaneers, and Falcons was resolved by tiebreakers
> – Matthew Stafford and the No. 5 Rams visit Charlotte on Wild Card Weekend
> – Why it matters: Carolina becomes only the second team ever to reach the playoffs twice with a losing record, proving divisional chaos can trump win percentage
Carolina’s roller-coaster season ended in champagne showers despite nine losses. The Panthers clinched their first playoff berth since 2017 and will host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the opening round.
How the Panthers Stole the South
A 16-14 defeat at Tampa Bay in Week 17 left Carolina needing help. The division’s fate hinged on Atlanta’s home date with New Orleans-both teams already out of contention.
The Falcons obliged, edging the Saints 19-17. Tiebreakers then nudged the Panthers ahead of both Tampa Bay and Atlanta, locking up the No. 4 seed.
Key dominoes:
- Panthers finish 8-9
- Buccaneers finish 8-9
- Falcons finish 8-9
- Carolina wins tiebreaker sweep
NFL History of Sub-.500 Playoff Teams
Carolina joins an exclusive, unwanted club. In non-strike seasons, only five division winners have sneaked in below .500:
| Season | Team | Record | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Panthers | 8-9 | Wild Card vs. Rams |
| 2022 | Buccaneers | 8-9 | Lost Wild Card |
| 2020 | Washington | 7-9 | Lost Wild Card |
| 2014 | Panthers | 7-8-1 | Won Wild Card, lost Divisional |
| 2010 | Seahawks | 7-9 | Won Wild Card, lost Divisional |
The 2010 Seahawks and 2014 Panthers remain the only teams with losing records to win a postseason game.
What’s Next
The Rams will arrive in Charlotte having lost 31-28 to the Panthers just five weeks ago, when Carolina forced three Stafford turnovers. A repeat upset would give the Panthers their first playoff victory since 2015.
Key Takeaways**
- Carolina is the first franchise to make the playoffs twice with a losing record
- NFC South produced three 8-9 squads, highlighting division-wide mediocrity
- No sub-.500 team has ever advanced past the Divisional Round
History says the Panthers are long shots, but in a season where eight wins took a crown, anything feels possible.
