The Carolina Panthers are in line to make an unusual mark on NFL history.
The 8-8 Panthers can clinch a postseason berth this weekend via a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or a New Orleans Saints loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Either result would ensure that Carolina clinches the NFC South crown.
If the Panthers do make the playoffs, they would become the first team since the 1970 NFL merger to make it without being favored in a single one of their victories. The feat would stand even if Carolina wins on Saturday, as they are slight underdogs against Tampa Bay on the road.
2 teams have 0 wins as a favorite this season. The 3-13 Jets and 8-8 Panthers.
— Doug Clawson (@doug_clawson) January 2, 2026
Carolina can be the 1st team since the 1970 merger to make the playoffs with 0 wins as a favorite.
Carolina has only been an outright favorite twice this season. Both instances were against the Saints and the Panthers went 0-2 in those contests.
The closest the Panthers had to a win as the betting favorite came against the New York Jets, coincidentally the only other team without a win as a favorite this season. Carolina was the very slight underdog in the Week 7 matchup against what was then a 0-6 Jets squad at MetLife Stadium.
The Panthers’ wins over the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams both came with Carolina considered double-digit underdogs.
If anything, Panthers head coach Dave Canales would be wise to use the shot at history as bulletin board material for his team. A Carolina squad playing with “nobody believes in us” energy could very well play spoiler in the Wild Card round, assuming they get there.
