This is the sort of pressure everyone associated with the Carolina Panthers has been waiting for.
Win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18, and head coach Dave Canales' squad will have its first NFC South championship since 2015 and its first playoff berth since 2017. Lose, and the Panthers will be relying on the Atlanta Falcons to beat the New Orleans Saints.
Meaningful football in December and January is what it's all about. It's been a long time since the Panthers were involved in such a high-stakes contest. Fans are studying draft prospects and potential free-agent targets at this time of year.