The Carolina Panthers will clinch the NFC South if they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The biggest game in Carolina Panthers history in the post-Cam Newton era takes place this Saturday.
If the Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they are the NFC South champions.
Carolina head coach Dave Canales doesn't want to underscore how important this game is because he wants his players to understand the moment and lock in.
"Absolutely, that's got to be the mentality, and that's a weekly thing," Canales said. "It's a weekly discipline that we have to get back to work. We have to focus on the task at hand. It's a true championship moment. 'Shirts and hats' games, it's what you work so hard for all year. It's right in front of us. It's going to be fantastic. We're excited about it, and that's enough. That's enough for the guys to understand this is your shot. This is the last shot we have, and I think the important part for me is when you truly get to this moment where this is the last game unless you win, that's got to be the focus on a weekly basis. This is the only one we have. This is it. It requires everything of us.
"It requires a discipline to block out external distractions, different things that might take you away from your normal preparation physically, mentally, emotionally, just making sure that we get ourselves fresh and completely prepared so we can be confident and fast on game day. This is truly it. This is what you preach about, and it's a great reminder for the group, and I just, I can't wait to get the guys back in the building tomorrow so we can get right to it with the game plan."
The Panthers beat the Buccaneers on December 21 by a final score of 23-20. Only time will tell if Canales and Co. can beat Baker Mayfield and Co. again.
For the Panthers to win this Saturday, QB Bryce Young needs to play much better than he did last week against the Seattle Seahawks. The Alabama product went 14 of 24 for 54 yards and an interception. That's not a typo, folks. Young only had 54 passing yards.
Young's 54 passing yards were the fewest by a quarterback with at least 24 attempts since 1980.
If Young plays poorly against the Bucs and the Panthers miss the playoffs, don't be surprised if Young is traded this offseason.
While he's shown flashes of greatness, Young has been too inconsistent for the Panthers to give him the keys to the franchise.