The Carolina Panthers lost a costly 20–17 matchup to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Caesars Superdome, dropping to 7–7 and missing a chance to retain control of the NFC South.
This past Thursday night’s game propelled Charlotte to 1st in the south – the first time we led our division since the Cam Newton era, a lead that lasted for just a little over 48 hours.
After yesterday’s defeat, Carolina now sits tied with Tampa Bay with three games left — and two matchups against the Buccaneers still ahead.
Carolina led 17–7 midway through the third quarter after Bryce Young hit Jalen Coker for a 32-yard score, capping a promising offensive start that included a physical 4-yard touchdown run by Rico Dowdle. But the momentum shifted quickly.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough engineered a late rally, tying the game with a 12-yard touchdown to Chris Olave with 2:29 remaining. After the Saints defense forced a Panthers punt, Shough drove New Orleans back into range, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty on rookie safety Lathan Ransom that added 15 yards. That set up Charlie Smyth’s 47-yard game-winner with two seconds left.
Panthers lose to Saints on last-second field goal https://t.co/xbm7HGJCKE
— PalmettoSportsNetwork (@PalmettoSportTV) December 15, 2025
The loss was shaped by mistakes — including a season-high 11 Panthers penalties for 103 yards — and several missed opportunities, including a fourth-and-1 stop at the Saints’ 35 early in the fourth quarter.
Had Carolina held on, it could have clinched the division with a Week 16 win over Tampa Bay. Instead, the NFC South race now appears headed for a final-week showdown.
The Panthers return to Charlotte on Sunday for the first of two decisive matchups against the Buccaneers.
