Like every weekend on the slate, Week 16 of the NFL season had some incredible performances, bad injuries and perplexing outcomes. We take a look at some of the highlights, lowlights, news and stats.
Bryce Young Leads the Way in Panthers Win
The NFC South has been the butt of a lot of jokes this year.
While the battle for a wild-card spot in the NFC has been extremely contentious, the NFC South has seemed like a battle of “Who wants it the least?”
But the Carolina Panthers aren’t going to apologize for being the playoff hunt, even if it’s due to a weak division. Not after they won seven games combined over the past two seasons. Not after they’ve had one winning record and one playoff appearance in the nine years following Cam Newton’s march to the NFC title and an appearance in Super Bowl 50.
So the Panthers moving to 8-7 and taking control of the NFC South by beating the Buccaneers 23-20 on Sunday isn’t something to be mocked. Rather, it represents the growth of a franchise that seemed stuck in neutral just one season ago.
The growth was especially evident in the play of Bryce Young, the much-maligned quarterback whose play has steadily improved as of late. After throwing nine interceptions in his first 11 games, Young had his third consecutive game without a pick.
For most of his NFL career, Young has looked overwhelmed by the blitz. That’s a big problem against the ultra-aggressive Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense.
But Young has gotten the ball out much quicker against blitzes lately and it showed against the Bucs, particularly on his 22-yard touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan in the second quarter.
Perfection: FOX pic.twitter.com/vy13eMc7Gh
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 21, 2025There’s been a lot talk about what Bryce Young isn’t due to his height, but not enough discussion about what he is. His poise in big moments can’t be overlooked.
That was Bryce Young's 12th game-winning drive in the fourth quarter/OT since entering the NFL in 2023. That's the most by any QB in the NFL over that span. He's ahead of Patrick Mahomes (10) and Josh Allen (10) in that time. It was Young's 14th career win as a starter, so 12 of…
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) December 21, 2025Baker Mayfield is a veteran with a reputation as a comeback king himself. But in the end, it was Mayfield and not Young who made a crucial mistake on his final drive. Mayfield and Mike Evans were not on the same page on the QB’s last throw, as Mayfield threw to the outside while Evans broke toward the middle of the field. The result was a Lathan Ransom interception and a Panthers victory.
Carolina can’t punch its playoff ticket just yet. The Panthers host the formidable Seattle Seahawks next week, while the Bucs travel to Miami to take on a reeling Dolphins’ team that benched Tua Tagovailoa and subsequently got rolled by the Cincinnati Bengals. There’s a very real chance the Week 18 rematch at Tampa Bay will decide the NFC South winner.
But this week’s win was another step forward for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers as a whole. And, considering recent history, that is cause for celebration.
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NFL Week 16 Recap: Reacting to Some of Sunday’s Biggest News and Numbers Opta Analyst.
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