The Carolina Panthers secured a playoff berth for the first time since 2017, clinching the NFC South with an 8-9 record in the 2025 season. As the No. 4 seed, they will host a home wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams. This marks the first Carolina Panthers playoff appearance under head coach Dave Canales and rising star quarterback Bryce Young.

Key details regarding the Panthers’ 2025-2026 playoff run:

Division Winners: Despite a losing record (8-9), the Panthers won the NFC South, becoming the fifth team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a sub-.500 records.

Playoff Matchup: The No. 4 seed Panthers host the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.

Coach’s Impact: Head coach Dave Canales led the team to this position in his second season, bringing the team back to the postseason.