Not since 2017 have the Carolina Panthers had a taste of first place in the NFC South this late into a season. But that changed (at least temporarily) on Sunday night.
Thanks to the Los Angeles Rams’ total annihilation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—and on prime-time television, no less—the Panthers have now moved into tie atop their division. Tampa Bay’s 34-7 loss nudged their record even with Carolina’s at 6-5, with the latter still yet to play here in Week 12.
Their contest is set to close the slate, with the 7-4 San Francisco 49ers awaiting them at Levi’s Stadium for a Monday night matchup. The Panthers will look to win their sixth game in their last eight outings, but enter the showdown in Santa Clara, Calif. as one-touchdown underdogs.
If Carolina, however, can pull off the upset under the bright lights, they’ll improve to 7-5. And that mark, of course, would be good enough to give them sole possession of first place in the NFC South—something they haven’t had this late since 2015.
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