Key Highlights
- Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and other players began telling teammates to move on to next week's likely winner-take-all NFC South showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before Panthers coach Dave Canales addressed Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The message wasn't about blowing an opportunity to clinch the division, with the Bucs losing to the Miami Dolphins 20-17, but about the opportunity ahead."The reality of our situation is all that matters is next week,'' Panthers defensive back Nick Scott said.
- "I know we said it all year, but we've actually got one game left, and it's for everything.''Despite failing to win consecutive games since mid-October, the 8-8 Panthers can clinch the NFC South title with either a victory or tie next weekend at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. The 7-9 Bucs, who have lost four straight games and seven of their past eight, can claim their fifth straight division title with a win that would leave both teams at 8-9."We know what's ahead of us,'' Canales said.
- "It's clearly defined.''Panthers guard Austin Corbett emphasized the joy that comes with being in playoff contention heading into the regular-season finale."I just constantly remind guys, just have fun,'' Corbett said.
- "As stressful as football is, as much as it hurts the body, it's the most fun you're going to have in this life, I guarantee it.'"That's the message [Canales] constantly preaches.
- It's all about us.