Good news: at least to begin this stretch one analyst sees McMillan as a strong play. The Big Lead has McMillan ranked among the NFL's top 15 wide receivers for Week 15.

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1), NFC North leaders: They're back on top of the division and just a half-game off the conference pace. But the Pack would need to beat Denver and for the Rams and Seahawks to lose in order to rise to the top spot Sunday. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dave Canales went to bed at halftime of the Falcons-Bucs game Thursday night. When the second-year coach woke up Friday morning, he and the Carolina Panthers were in a position the franchise hasn’t seen in 10 years – alone in first place.

Carolina has also forced more turnovers (1.3 per game, 10th in 2025 vs. 1.0 per game in 2024, tied for 19th), and given up less drastically less rushing yards per contest in 2025 (118.7 YPG, 18th in the NFL vs 179.

The NFC playoff picture shifted a bit on Thursday night, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Atlanta Falcons. Tampa ceded the top spot in the NFC South with the loss and saw its playoff chances take a hit.

A former Panthers pass rusher, who spent all but four days of his NFL career in Carolina, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn returned to full practice before the NFC South clash with the Saints in Week 15.

When ain't got nothing, you ain't got nothing to lose.