NFL playoff picture: How the Carolina Panthers can clinch a playoff berth in Week 17

The last time the Carolina Panthers reached the NFL playoffs came back during the 2017, when they finished 11-5 to finish second in the NFC South behind the New Orleans Saints.

Who they then lost to on Wild Card Weekend.

But here in Week 17, the Panthers can finally make it back to the NFL postseason. Here’s how.

Carolina Panthers playoff berth clinching scenarios

The Panthers currently lead the NFC South with an 8-7 record, one game ahead of the 7-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While those two teams meet again in Week 18 (Carolina won the first meeting between the two teams) the Panthers can clinch the division this weekend.

First, Carolina would need to win their game against the Seattle Seahawks, then they would need the Buccaneers to lose or tie against the Miami Dolphins.

Or, if the Panthers tie against the Seahawks, they would need a Buccaneers loss to the Dolphins to clinch the division.

Otherwise, this division battle goes into Week 18, and might be the Sunday Night Football game to close out the regular season.

NFC standings entering Week 17

Here are the full NFC standings ahead of the weekend:

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) – x
2. Chicago Bears (11-4) – x
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) – xy
4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) – x
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) – x
7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) – x
8. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) – e
9. Detroit Lions (8-8) – e
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) – e
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
12. Atlanta Falcons (6-9) – e
13. New Orleans Saints (5-10) – e
14. Washington Commanders (4-12) – e
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12) – e
16. New York Giants (2-13) – e

x – Team has clinched a playoff spot
y – Team has clinched their division title
e – Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

NFC South standings entering Week 17

Here are the full NFC South standings:

1. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
3. Atlanta Falcons (6-9) – e
4. New Orleans Saints (5-10) – e