Last year, the Panthers needed four straight wins down the stretch to take the NFC South title. This year, 11 straight wins to start the season has done the trick.
With the Buccaneers beating the Falcons on Sunday, the Panthers have clinched their third consecutive division crown. Before last year, no team had won the NFC South in back-to-back years since the division was formed in 2002.
The Panthers still have work to do; the Cardinals have only two losses, which means Carolina has yet to clinch the No. 1 seed. If they do, and if they’re still undefeated when it happens, it’ll be interesting to see whether they rest starters or whether they go for 16-0.
The Panthers also are the first team in 2015 to clinch a postseason berth.
