Live NFL updates: Panthers can seal playoff spot with Christmas Eve win against Bucs

By Joseph Person , Jourdan Rodrigue , Scott Fowler and Brendan Marks

Updated December 24, 2017 2:32 PM

NFL Week 16 live updates as the Carolina Panthers (10-4) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) play in Bank of America Stadium on Christmas Eve for the last home regular-season game of 2017.

No groan-inducing puns about Santa, gifts or coal-filled stockings here. This is what’s on the line: The Panthers can clinch a playoff spot with a win (or an unlikely Dallas-Seattle tie later Sunday if the Bucs win).

Tweets from Joseph Person, Jourdan Rodrigue, Scott Fowler, Brendan Marks, the Observer sports staff and others are included.

[POSTSEASON NEAR: Panthers can join an elite group by beating banged-up Bucs]

[PLAYOFF PRIMER: Panthers could be No. 2 seed – or miss postseason entirely]

When: 1 p.m. Sunday.

TV: Fox (WJZY in Charlotte)

[OUT OF ADVERSITY: How layers of chaos – and that’s only on-field – created a dangerous Panthers team]

[FEARLESS PREDICTIONS: Cam Newton, Jameis Winston set for different experiences]

[INSIDE THE MATCHUP: Targets won’t be Bucs WR Mike Evans’ problem]

[SCOTT SAYS: Yes, Panthers fans, there is a football game – and here’s my pick]

[LEGACY TARNISHED: Jerry Richardson built an empire over decades. He lost the Panthers in a weekend.]

[INVESTIGATION UPDATE: NFL wasn’t told in advance about settlements with Jerry Richardson’s accusers, says official]

[LATEST: Full Carolina Panthers coverage]