Panthers advance to NFL playoffs after Falcons beat Saints

The unusual situation was part of a hectic closing day of the NFL regular season that also included a winner-take-all showdown for a playoff spot with the AFC playoff top seed also up for grabs. After Tampa Bay defeated Carolina 16-14 on Saturday to leave both clubs 8-9 for the campaign, the fight for the NFC South division title and final NFC playoff berth came down to Sunday's New Orleans at Atlanta result. With the triumph, the host Falcons matched Carolina and Tampa Bay at 8-9. In a three-way head-to-head results tie-breaker...