The Panthers can make the playoffs in 2025, either by beating the Buccaneers on Saturday or by watching the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday. If that happens, Carolina will be making a very specific type of history.
Via Doug Clawson of CBS Sports, the 8-8 Panthers would be the first team since the 1970 merge to make the playoffs despite having zero wins as the favorite.
The 3-13 Jets also have no wins as the favorite. Obviously, they won’t be making the playoffs. (Again.)
The Panthers aren’t favored in Week 18 at Tampa Bay. If the Panthers win the NFC South, they';; undoubtedly be a significant underdog in the wild-card round, against the Seahawks, 49ers, or Rams.
Carolina victories in 2025 include upset over a pair of NFC playoff teams — at the Packers and at home against the Rams. If the Panthers qualify for the postseason, they’ll have no expectations. They’ll hear talking heads say throughout the week that they’re one of the worst teams to ever make it to the playoffs.
It’s give the Panthers a natural chip on the shoulder, with no pressure whatsoever to win. The No. 5 seed (whoever it is) may look past the Panthers, especially with (if the Bears and Eagles win their wild-card games at home) a rematch coming against the NFC West rival that earns the No. 1 seed (49ers or Seahawks).
Carolina has already beaten L.A., despite being 10.5-point underdogs. While there’s a pretty good chance they won’t catch the Rams napping again, the Seahawks or 49ers could be vulnerable to a Charlotte surprise.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen (foot) returned to practice on Friday, getting in limited work.
Coach Sean McDermott said earlier in the day that Allen is “good to go” for Sunday’s game against the Jets. The injury report confirmed that, as he does not have a designation.
It is unclear how much Allen will play.
The Bills ruled out linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf) and safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) for Sunday.
Defensive end Joey Bosa (hamstring) returned to limited work and is questionable to play. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (ankle) also are questionable.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen didn’t practice the last two days, but head coach Sean McDermott said that’s going to change on Friday.
McDermott said on WGR 550 that Allen will take part in the team’s final practice session of the week. McDermott also said that Allen is “good to go” for Sunday’s game against the Jets despite the foot injury he’s been dealing with the last couple of weeks.
McDermott did not say how much Allen would play, so it may just be a cameo appearance in the final regular season game to be played at Highmark Stadium.
The Bills will not have linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf) or safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) this weekend. All three were ruled out by McDermott.
Jets receiver and returner Isaiah Williams has accomplished a rare feat: He has been named Most Valuable Player of a team that cut him during the season.
Williams was released by the Jets after a bad game in September, but he re-signed to the practice squad, then was brought back to the active roster, and became one of their biggest playmakers the rest of the season. As a result, his teammates have selected him as the Jets’ Curtis Martin Team Most Valuable Player.
Williams reflected during the Jets’ bye week on what a journey it’s been.
“I didn’t think I was going to get another opportunity this year, if I’m being honest,” Williams said, via the team’s website. “My biggest thing was I’m going to come back to the practice squad, work my tail off, get better every single day, make my teammates better in every aspect. And when I do get my opportunity — if I do get another opportunity — I’m going to make the most of it.”
Williams has averaged 14.1 yards per punt return this season and leads the NFL with two punt return touchdowns. He also has averaged 30.2 yards per kickoff return this season. And in recent weeks he’s getting more involved in the offense, with 21 catches for 169 yards plus three carries for 34 yards.
It took Williams some time, but he has shown he belongs. And his teammates have shown how much they appreciate what he did this year.
X-rays on Josh Allen’s foot were negative. His outlook for playing on Sunday is not currently positive.
The Bills quarterback did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
With the Bills seemingly destined to finish as the No. 6 seed in the AFC, and given that they’re playing the Jets, it could make sense to give Allen all or most of the day off on Sunday.
The injury happened in Week 16 against the Browns, on a long self-sack play. He finished the game, but his post-game contention that the foot didn’t affect him in the second half wasn’t convincing.
After seemingly aggravating it against the Eagles, Allen insisted it had “zero” impact on him. (And then he went to the X-ray room.) Meanwhile, Allen possibly rushed his throw on the fateful two-point misfire to receiver Khalil Shakir so that he wouldn’t have to try to run away on the injured foot from Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips.
Given that Sunday will likely be the last game at Highmark Stadium, maybe the Bills will give Allen a drive or two. Or maybe just one snap so he officially gets the start in the final game. There’s no point in risking further aggravation to his foot, not with the playoffs looming — and with Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and possibly Lamar Jackson not among the quarterbacks Allen may face.
