You just knew that the Panthers' first-place clash with the Buccaneers was going to come down to the final minute.

Including Sunday's game, that's been the case in Carolina's last three games and five of the last seven. All but one of those one-score games ended in Panther wins and this week was no exception.

Bryce Young delivered his 12th career game-winning drive, which leads the NFL since he entered the league in 2023, with a 34-yard pass to Jalen Coker that set up Ryan Fitzgerald's go-ahead field goal.

The defense then successfully protected a three-point lead with some sweet redemption. A week after committing a crucial penalty in New Orleans, rookie Lathan Ransom intercepted Baker Mayfield in the final minute to effectively secure the 23-20 Carolina win. 

"What a great story," Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. "I loved that for Lathan."

The victory vaults the Panthers into first place in the NFC South with two weeks remaining in the season.

In order to clinch the division next week — without needing to complete the sweep of the Bucs in Week 18 — Carolina would need to beat Seattle and have Tampa lose at Miami. It's important to remember that the Bucs would own an NFC South tiebreaker if it splits the season series with the Panthers and the two teams finish with the same overall record. 

Sunday had the feeling a playoff atmosphere with a rare jam-packed crowd at Bank of America Stadium. If the Panthers hold onto the NFC South crown, the franchise will snap a seven-year postseason drought and host a playoff game for the first time since winning the NFC Championship a decade ago.

It would also snap a run of five straight postseason appearances — and four NFC South championships — for the Bucs. Prior to Sunday, Tampa had also beaten Carolina in five straight head-to-head matchups.

Kickoff for the Panthers' home finale against the Seahawks is set for 1 p.m.