The New Orleans Saints' gritty 18-10 win over the Carolina Panthers improved the team's record to 8-8 and kept them in the mix for a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season.
With the Minnesota Vikings' loss to the Green Bay Packers on "Sunday Night Football," the path for the Saints to make the playoffs is clear:
- Beat Atlanta (7-9) in Week 18. The game is scheduled for noon Sunday, Jan. 9 but the day and time could be changed by the NFL.
- Have the San Francisco 49ers (9-7) lose to the Los Angeles Rams (12-4) in Week 18.
