The Carolina Panthers have found themselves in the thick of the NFC South race after a nail-biting 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, December 21, 2025. With just two weeks left in the regular season, this win has given the Panthers a critical one-game edge atop the division—something fans in Charlotte haven’t seen in quite some time. But, as any seasoned football follower knows, the story is far from over. The Panthers now face a daunting Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, a team with their sights set on the NFC’s number one seed and boasting a formidable 6-1 road record this year.
Let’s rewind to the pivotal moments that brought the Panthers to this high-stakes juncture. Quarterback Bryce Young delivered his best performance of the season, earning a Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 91.6—a season high. Young completed 21 of 32 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, showing poise and precision when it mattered most. His connection with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan proved vital, as McMillan hauled in six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, leading all receivers in the game. This dynamic duo kept the Buccaneers’ secondary on its heels and gave the Panthers the offensive spark they desperately needed.
But not everything was smooth sailing for Carolina’s offense. Running back Rico Dowdle struggled to find running lanes, finishing with just 29 yards on nine carries—his lowest output since Week 2. The offensive line, particularly guards Damien Lewis and Austin Corbett and center Cade Mays, received low marks for their run-blocking efforts, with PFF grades of 57.8, 50.6, and 51.6 respectively. It’s clear the line will need to tighten up if the Panthers hope to keep pace with Seattle’s stout front seven next week.
On the defensive side, cornerback Mike Jackson stood out as a lockdown presence, earning an 81.4 overall PFF grade and an impressive 82.6 in coverage. Jackson has now posted a coverage grade of at least 75.0 in five of his last six outings, a testament to his consistency and resilience. Outside linebacker Nic Scourton made his presence felt as well, tallying three stops and two pressures. Defensive linemen LaBryan Ray and A'Shawn Robinson also contributed solid performances, with grades of 72.2 and 67.2, respectively.
Yet, the true hero of the day was rookie safety Lathan Ransom. Just a week removed from a costly penalty against the New Orleans Saints—a moment that left him reeling and subjected to a wave of criticism—Ransom turned the narrative on its head by intercepting Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield with just 42 seconds remaining. That play sealed the Panthers’ win and sent the home crowd into a frenzy. “I faced a lot of adversity, and I heard noise from everybody last week,” Ransom said after the game. “But that’s how you shake back.”
Ransom’s journey from scapegoat to savior was not lost on his teammates or coaches. Mike Jackson, who shares a locker with Ransom, praised the rookie’s maturity, saying, “He responded like a grown man should. At the end of the day, everyone was talking trash to him, like he shouldn't be in the game and this and that. And today he responded like he should be. I'll just say I'm proud of him. Because at the end of the day it's grown-man football and he showed that.”
Head coach Dave Canales echoed those sentiments, greeting Ransom with a huge hug on the sideline after the interception. “That’s a great story,” Canales remarked. “That’s fantastic and it’s just about belief and having confidence in our guys to be able to be studs about the things we need to work on and be studs about the different decisions that come up. I love that for Lathan—for him to be able to make the winning play, the biggest play of the game for us.”
The Panthers’ defense, however, wasn’t perfect. Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, who had come off a two-sack performance the week before, failed to register a single pressure on 21 opportunities, earning a disappointing PFF grade of 39.2. Defensive linemen Cam Jackson and Bobby Brown III also struggled, posting grades of 52.2 and 51.6, respectively. With the Seahawks and their high-powered offense looming, Carolina’s front seven will need to regroup and bring their A-game.
Looking ahead, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Panthers will host the Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on December 28, 2025, in a game that will be broadcast nationally on CBS. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Seahawks are favored by 7 points, with Seattle’s moneyline at -325 and Carolina’s at +260. The over/under is set at 42.5 points, reflecting expectations for a hard-fought contest.
Predictions across the sports media landscape largely favor Seattle. ESPN gives the Seahawks a 68.3% chance to win, while Sports Betting Dime’s formula projects a 26.4 to 7.6 victory for the visitors. The Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff forecasts a 24-16 win for Seattle, citing their strong road record and defensive prowess. Still, not everyone is counting the Panthers out. Bill Speros of Bookies.com advises bettors to take Carolina with the points, noting their impressive streak of covering the spread against NFC opponents. “Carolina has covered in 9 straight getting points against NFC opponents. They make it 10 here,” Speros writes.
For the Panthers, the playoff scenario is straightforward—win against Seattle and hope for a Tampa Bay loss to Miami, and the NFC South crown is theirs. If the Buccaneers win, the division title will be decided in a dramatic Week 18 rematch. As rookie Lathan Ransom put it, “You’re going to learn. It’s a learning process. You’re playing with the best of the best. I learn more and more every game and I try to take those teachings into the next game.”
With the division lead on the line and their postseason hopes hanging in the balance, the Panthers’ young core will need to summon every ounce of grit, resilience, and talent they possess. The next chapter unfolds in Charlotte, where the stakes couldn’t be higher and the margin for error is razor-thin. Will Carolina’s momentum carry them through, or will Seattle’s road dominance prove too much to overcome? One thing’s for sure—the NFC South race is far from settled, and fans are in for a wild ride down the stretch.
