Dave Canales challenges Panthers amid unique pursuit of playoff berth

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said that he didn't know the 8-8 Panthers could enter the playoffs as champions of the NFC South even if they lost to the 7-9Tampa Bay Buccaneersthis coming Saturday. Panthers head coach Dave Canales was more aware of what theAtlanta Falconsimproving to 7-9 via a win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night means as it pertains to Carolina's playoff hopes. Canales also wants his players to treat this Saturday's matchup at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium as a playoff game. Dave Canales wants Panthers to go down "pretty simple path" to playoffs "We're aware of all those scenarios, and it's a pretty simple path," Canales told reporters on Tuesday, per Darin Gantt and Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' website. "We've got to handle business and win the game, and that's got to be our focus, first and foremost. A team that I really respect and that we just played a couple weeks ago, so we have to approach this thing like we didn't just play them, don't take anything for granted, make sure we're on the details, and all the other scenarios will play out how they will." Back in Week 16, the Panthers earned a 23-20 home win over the Buccaneers after Carolina's Ryan Fitzgerald made a 48-yard field goal with under 2:30 to play in regulation. Meanwhile, the Falcons beating the Rams gifted the Panthers with an opportunity to possibly sneak back into the playoffs. If the Panthers, Buccaneers and Falcons all end Week 18 at 8-9, Carolina would claim the division title via tiebreaker advantage. Atlanta hosts the 6-10 New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris may need to win that game to hold onto his job. Dave Canales wants Panthers to have an easy Sunday afternoon "I was watching the game [Monday] night," Canales added. "I watch every game on Monday night, and, you know, this one right here, it's got implications. But at the same time, the focus has to be there for us to be able to handle business and play our best ball." As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Panthers as 2.5-point road underdogs versus the Buccaneers.