SEATTLE -- The Carolina Panthers seemingly were out of control two months ago when they fired coach Matt Rhule after a 1-4 start and a week later traded star running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers.
There was the perception around the league they were going to tank the rest of the season for the first pick of the 2023 NFL draft.
Now they are in control of their playoff future.
Sunday’s 30-24 victory against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field put Carolina (5-8) in position to win the NFC South outright and make the playoffs with victories in the final four games against the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8), Detroit Lions (6-7), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) and New Orleans Saints (4-9).