The Falcons' final game of the regular season against the Carolina Panthers is set for Sunday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. ET, the league announced Sunday night. The Week 18 game will air on CBS.
The Falcons won their first matchup against the Panthers 38-20 in Week 6. Atlanta won that game to stay undefeated in the NFC South at the time, a key goal for the Falcons this season. This next one will hold major playoff implications.
After losing to the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, Atlanta needs a win against the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to fall to the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs face off with the Saints at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, too. If those two dominos fall, the Falcons will capture their first division title since 2016 and first playoff spot since 2017.
The Panthers have lost five of their last six games. The Falcons have won two of their last four games, and face a must-win situation in Week 18.
