The Carolina Panthers can still make the playoffs even if they lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. However, head coach Dave Canales' squad doesn't want to rely on others to secure its postseason berth.
Carolina is one win away from its first NFC South championship in a decade. Focus is on this alone. They need to keep the main thing the main thing, and they've already got one over on the Buccaneers once already this season.
It's also worth remembering that the Buccaneers are in freefall. However, most in the Panthers' locker room haven't been in this situation before, so it'll be interesting to see how they handle such a monumental occasion.