Cheering for a division rival feels bizarre, but it was the exact situation Carolina Panthers’ fans found themselves in last weekend. After a momentum-shifting win over the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Dave Canales' squad needed some help, and the New Orleans Saints delivered.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sat atop the NFC South until quarterback Tyler Shough ran for two touchdowns, topping Baker Mayfield’s high-flying offense. Per Next Gen Stats, the Panthers’ playoff odds were just 17 percent going into their bye week. After the Saints' upset, their odds skyrocketed to 30%.