Panthers ‘get to start the playoffs a week early’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and other players began telling teammates to move on to next week’s likely winner-take-all NFC South showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before Panthers coach Dave Canales addressed Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The message wasn’t about blowing an opportunity to clinch the division, with the Bucs losing to the Miami Dolphins 20-17, but about the opportunity ahead.

«The reality of our situation is all that matters is next week,» Panthers defensive back Nick Scott said. «I know we said it all year, but we’ve actually got one game left, and it’s for everything.»

Despite failing to win consecutive games since mid-October, the 8-8 Panthers can clinch the NFC South title with either a victory or tie next weekend at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

The 7-9 Bucs, who have lost four straight games and seven of their past eight, can claim their fifth straight division title with a win that would leave both teams at 8-9.

«We know what’s ahead of us,» Canales said. «It’s clearly defined.»

Panthers guard Austin Corbett emphasized the joy that comes with being in playoff contention heading into the regular-season finale.

«I just constantly remind guys, just have fun,» Corbett said. «As stressful as football is, as much as it hurts the body, it’s the most fun you’re going to have in this life, I guarantee it.’

«That’s the message [Canales] constantly preaches. It’s all about us. It’s always going to be about us, and that’s not going to change. And here we are in Week 18 … the moment of it’s all about us.»

The Panthers haven’t had a winning season or made the playoffs since 2017. They can do both with a victory over a Tampa Bay team they defeated 23-20 on Dec. 21 at Bank of America Stadium.

Knowing there is something to look forward to took a little sting out of Sunday’s loss.

«I’m super confident,» Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn said of the Panthers’ chances against the Bucs. «I know what kind of work I put in, what type of work they put in to get ready for Sunday, so it’s about getting back to that, pouring a little extra into this week knowing what the stakes are.»

Sunday could have turned into a clinching situation had Horn not been called for a facemask penalty, which gave the Seahawks an automatic first down on third-and-21 in the fourth quarter with Carolina trailing 17-10. The same could be said about two critical turnovers in the third quarter. After Mike Jackson‘s interception in the end zone, running back Chuba Hubbard fumbled, which led to Seattle’s go-ahead touchdown. On the next series, Young’s badly underthrown ball was intercepted, setting up another Seahawks touchdown.

The Panthers are eager to correct those mistakes, instead of dwelling on the «what ifs» of losing. They didn’t know the outcome of the Tampa Bay game — and how that loss put Carolina in position to clinch — until after its game.

«We’re not dealing with hypotheticals,» said Young, who had a career-low 54 yards passing against a Seattle defense that used more man-to-man coverage than it had all season. «We were all about winning another one today.

«We couldn’t get that done. That’s what sucks. But the lesson is, we have another opportunity.»

The opportunity will come without starting tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, who suffered a season-ending broken ankle on the game’s first play. But even Sanders, rolling through the locker room on a scooter, was smiling after the loss.

«That’s a testament to what kind of leaders we have in this locker room, our mindset,» Horn said. «So, we’re looking forward to next week.»

And the Panthers aren’t looking ahead as though they have an advantage because they already have a win over the Bucs.

«There’s no advantage based on outcome,» Young said. «It’s going to be a great challenge for us.

«Nobody’s happy about today. But you’ve got to flip the page. … So, we get to start the playoffs a week early.»