The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were forced to watch the first round of the NFL playoffs from home this weekend after a brutal finish to their season. Hopefully, they were watching closely.
The Carolina Panthers may have lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the first game of the Wild Card round, but they had one of the NFC's best teams on the ropes late in the game. Even in a loss, the Panthers showed a level of play that the rest of the NFC South may not be ready for.
If the Buccaneers don't respond, they could risk falling even farther behind their division rivals.
Buccaneers forced to take notice of Panthers' playoff showing
Heading into Wild Card Weekend, the Panthers were an afterthought in the NFC playoffs. It seemed a foregone conclusion that the Rams would roll through the matchup on their path to a potential Super Bowl appearance. The Rams were ten-point favorites, marking the largest spread of any playoff game this weekend.
The Panthers didn't let them off easy, though. They took the game to the final minute, forcing Matthew Stafford to lead a game-winning drive to sneak through to the next round. Bryce Young put the league on notice with his second-half performance, finishing the day with 264 yards through the air and two total touchdowns. The Panthers were clinical in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on each of their four trips inside their opponent's 20-yard line. Despite being outmatched in the talent department, Carolina looked like they belonged.
The NFC South has belonged to the Buccaneers for much of the last decade. Tampa Bay had won four consecutive division titles before letting the lead slip to Carolina this season. Even after their unfortunate finish to the season, it felt like the Bucs were set to reclaim their spot atop the division in 2026. But if the Panthers can continue the level of play they showed against the Rams, the rest of the NFC South will have some ground to make up.
Beyond the progress of their division rivals, the Buccaneers have plenty to worry about this offseason. The back half of this season was the most frustrating stretch of football they've put on display in quite some time. If they don't turn things around within the building, it may be a while before they return to the top of the division. After their playoff opener, it's clear the Panthers won't let the Bucs take the division back easily.