Big Decisions Ahead in Atlanta
The Panthers missed a chance to secure their spot this weekend. Now, they are tied with the Buccaneers at 8-9. The Bucs could squeeze ahead using a common opponents tiebreaker—unless the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday, which would create a three-way tie in the NFC South.
If that happens, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head matchups. The Panthers would edge out the Falcons since they beat them twice, giving them a 3-1 record in those games. The Bucs and Falcons have split their games, making the Bucs 2-2 in that scenario.
If the Saints win against the Falcons (1 p.m. ET, FOX), the Bucs will have the advantage over the Panthers with a two-way tiebreaker.
In terms of common games, the Bucs also hold the edge. The Panthers finished 3-5 against the NFC West and AFC East teams, while the Bucs managed 4-4. The Panthers beat the Rams, Dolphins, and Jets but lost to a range of teams including the Seahawks and Bills. The Bucs had wins against the Seahawks and Jets but fell short against teams like the Patriots and Bills. If it comes down to it, the Panthers’ loss to the Cardinals in Week 2 could haunt them, as they currently have a better conference record than the Bucs.
This scenario could end painfully for the Panthers, who have been making steady progress over the last few seasons, jumping from two wins to five and now eight. However, if the Falcons come out on top, the Panthers will still secure the fifth seed in the NFC. This could be settled as soon as tonight’s Seahawks vs. 49ers game (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN).
As of now, here’s an interesting fact: the NFL has seen a record number of games decided by a single possession this season, signifying how close teams can be. This adds to the pressure as every game counts more than ever.
The next few days will be crucial for the Panthers, Buccaneers, and Falcons. Fans across social media are buzzing with predictions and excitement, showing just how closely they’re following their teams. This season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet.
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