Panthers' Bryce Young makes wild admission about playoff scenario involving Buccaneers, Falcons

The 8-8 Carolina Panthers can back into the upcoming playoffs as champions of the NFC South even if they suffer a loss at the 7-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers this coming Saturday. 

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Carolina quarterback Bryce Young was asked about how the Atlanta Falcons improving to 7-9 via a win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night could ultimately benefit the Panthers. 

Bryce Young didn't know about tiebreaker scenario? 

"I didn't know that or know what that is," Young said about what a possible three-way tie in the division standings would mean for the Panthers, per Darin Gantt of the club's website. 

The Panthers will claim the division crown if they reach nine wins by defeating the Buccaneers at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium on Saturday. However, Carolina would win the division via tiebreaker with a loss and a Falcons home victory over the 6-10 New Orleans Saints on Sunday. 

Nevertheless, Young said multiple times on Tuesday that his focus is on the Buccaneers game. He also insisted that his goal is to "go 1-0 this week." 

Bryce Young wants Panthers "process-oriented" for Buccaneers matchup

The Panthers haven't participated in a playoff game since January 2018, roughly five years before Carolina made Young the first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Young may not have been following the Falcons-Rams game on Monday evening, but that doesn't mean he's blase about what this weekend could mean for the Panthers. 

"I mean, I'm always excited," Young added. "I'm super grateful for the opportunity. Anytime you get to play football, it's a blessing, obviously. Being able to play for what we're playing for, that means a lot, of course. I'm proud of this group for being here; we're excited for the opportunity. But, at the end of the day, it's football right now. ...[Panthers head coach Dave Canales] talks about being process-oriented all the time, so pushing all that to the side, it's just about having the best week we can right now."

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Panthers as 2.5-point road underdogs against the Buccaneers. Some think Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles may have to earn a win over Carolina to hold onto his job.