Whatever happens the rest of the way, we can say with absolute certainty that this 2025 NFL season has been a success for the Carolina Panthers. They're in yea

The Carolina Panthers will look to stay in contention for the NFC South crown that they're competing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for when they visit a struggling New Orleans Saints team in Week 15.

The Carolina Panthers have been wandering through the desert since Cam Newton's peak. They have a seven-season playoff drought and have gone through coaches and starting quarterbacks like Gatorade cups on the sidelines under fiery owner David Tepper.

Someone in the league office looked into their crystal ball earlier this year and sensed the NFC South title would come down to the Panthers and Buccaneers.

The Panthers have been pretty successful on fourth-down plays. But the loss to the Saints highlighted a weakness in short-yardage situations.

With a victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers would have had an opportunity to clinch their first NFC South title since 2015 in their next game. But the Panthers lost to the Saints 20-17 and will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with the teams tied for the division lead.

Good news: at least to begin this stretch one analyst sees McMillan as a strong play. The Big Lead has McMillan ranked among the NFL's top 15 wide receivers for Week 15.

The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints meet Sunday in a Week 15 matchup in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.