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The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers headed into Sunday’s matchup looking for control of the NFC South. A back-and-forth battle ensued, as the Panthers took a late 23-20 lead over the Buccaneers at home. However, it looked as if, at least for a moment, that Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield would will the visitors to another victory. That turn of events was not meant to be, though, as Mayfield threw a game-ending interception to clinch Carolina’s eighth victory. The win gave the Cats sole possession of first place in the South, per NFL insider Ari Meirov on X, formerly Twitter.
The #Panthers have sole possession of first place in the NFC South. pic.twitter.com/pjelkBjLbc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 21, 2025
“The #Panthers have sole possession of first place in the NFC South,” posted Meirov after Mayfield’s back-breaking turnover.
Despite their up-and-down performances throughout the season, the Panthers now lead their division once again. Part of their surge to the top of the South has been their 5-2 record at home, which could cause a problem for visiting teams in the playoffs. Mayfield’s pass was intercepted by rookie safety Latham Ramson, one of many young Panther defenders who have helped reshape the unit. Can Carolina capture two more wins over the season’s final weeks to lock in their first division title since 2015?
More to come as this story unfolds.
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