David Newton

Despite being a 10.5-point underdog to arguably the best team in the NFC at home on a short week after a Monday loss in San Francisco, the Carolina Panthers authored a 31-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, improving to 7-6 heading into a bye.

Young has an opportunity to convince the Panthers to invest in him for the long term with a playoff push.

Postseason hope in the regular-season finale hasn't happened in Carolina since 2017.

The Panthers and Buccaneers have been forced into a peculiar situation, having to pull for different division rivals on Sunday for their team to win the NFC South title and a trip to the playoffs.

The Saints-Falcons game will determine whether Carolina or Tampa will be in the playoffs.

Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who was making a comeback with the Panthers after missing last season, was released Tuesday to make room for David Moore for the NFC Wild Card game.

The Panthers are expecting to have guard Robert Hunt as a starter for Saturday's playoff game against the Rams. Hunt has been out since tearing his biceps in Week 2.

Panthers running back Rico Dowdle said Sunday that his decreased carries late in the season will impact his decision on whether to return to the reigning NFC South champions.

The Panthers made a free agent splash by bringing in Phillips to improve their defense.

Music was a bridge for Phillips, who medically retired from football in college before working his way to the NFL.