Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports put together a little exercise in terms of overreactions from the last week of games. This past Sunday, the Panthers edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-20, at Charlotte. It raised their record to 8-7, and put them in undisputed first place at the top of their division, just one game ahead of the 7-8 Bucs.

Bryce Young has displayed an uncanny ability to finish this season, doing so again on Sunday when he led the Carolina Panthers on another game-winning drive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to pull ahead in the NFC South race.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan celebrates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Dowdle played for coach Shane Laws at AC Reynolds High in Asheville. He’s now posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in the NFL

Panthers HC Dave Canales talked about how he and his players are feeling after their huge Week 16 win over the Bucs.

The Lions, who were swept by the Packers and have lost three of the last four games, face the Vikings in Minneapolis on Christmas Day and must win to stay alive. It's certainly possible Max Brosmer will be starting the game for the Vikings on Thursday. The Bears will almost certainly have something to play for in the regular season finale.