CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The playoff-starved Carolina Panthers left the locker room Sunday happy, but not yet satisfied.
The Panthers finally figured out a way to beat Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 23-20 victory that gave them sole possession of first place in the NFC South with two games remaining. But they are well aware they may need to do it again in Week 18 to earn their first division title in a decade and snap a seven-year playoff drought.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Sirvocea Dennis during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan celebrates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina (8-7) could wrap up with the NFC South next Sunday with a win over Seattle and a Tampa Bay (7-8) loss to Miami. However, if the Bucs beat the Dolphins, Carolina would need to beat Tampa Bay in the regular-season finale to end the Bucs' four-year reign as division champions.
Panthers coach Dave Canales said the team's locker room is filled with “hope and belief" that the franchise's fortunes could be about to change.
“Everything is right in front of us still,” Canales said. “To give ourselves a chance to play meaningful football at this time of the year, those guys have earned that. They have earned because of the work they put in and being accountable to each other.”
And because third-year quarterback Bryce Young continues to make big plays when it matters most.
Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie safety Lathan Ransom intercepted Mayfield with 42 seconds left. Of Young's 14 wins as an NFL starter, 12 have come on game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime.
“We have the utmost confidence in Bryce,” said tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, who caught a 6-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter after Young eluded three defenders in the pocket. “He isn't our quarterback for no reason. Everything he has gone through to get to this point today, the resilience and the mental toughness and the way he carries himself, it all plays a part in that.”
It was the third straight loss for the reeling Buccaneers, who were hoping the return of injured wide receiver Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan might spark a playoff run.
“The biggest thing is our confidence is good and our camaraderie is good,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “But that’s not enough right now. It’s the execution that we’re lacking and missing a few things here and there. ... Hopefully, in two weeks we get a chance to see them again and play for something."
The Panthers were coming off a heartbreaking loss last Sunday to New Orleans on a last-second field goal, aided by a late hit by Ransom on sliding quarterback Tyler Shough on the final drive. The flag pushed the Saints safely into field goal range for the win.
But Ranson got his redemption on Sunday.
With the Bucs down 23-20 and driving for the go-ahead score — or at least the tying field goal — there was a miscommunication on a second-and-9 pass play at the Carolina 42 between Mayfield and Evans, and Ransom made a sliding catch for the interception.
“I was trying to find a lane to step through and make a throw to him,” Mayfield said. “(Evans) thought I was going to scramble, which based on some of the scrambles earlier to that, so you can’t blame him.”
Mayfield, who was 5-0 against the Panthers before Sunday, finished 18 of 26 for 145 yards with one TD pass to Evans on Tampa Bay's opening drive.
For the Panthers it was the fourth straight time they've followed up a loss with a win, which Young said speaks to the team's resiliency.
“I'm so proud of this group. We just know how to come back and refocus, good or bad,” Young said. “We try to flush it. There is no quit in us. ... That is something that we carry into every aspect we are as a team. Not just to walk it, but to talk it. Be resilient.”
Buccaneers: LB Anthony Nelson left the game in the first half with a knee injury.
Panthers: LT Ickey Ekwonu was ruled out before the game due to a knee injury he sustained last week against the Saints.
Buccaneers: At Miami on Sunday.
Panthers: Host Seattle on Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle runs past Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Sirvocea Dennis during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan celebrates after scoring against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A spectacular bicycle kick earned royal approval for Ayoub El Kaabi as host Morocco opened the 35th Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Comoros on Sunday.
Home fans including Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, who greeted the players before kickoff, had endured a frustrating game as island nation Comoros, ranked 108th in the world, stubbornly held out against one of the tournament favorites.
Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor even saved an early penalty from Soufiane Rahimi.
Brahim Díaz finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, setting off relieved celebrations around the stadium, before El Kaabi sealed the win with an overhead kick in the 74th.
The prince, watching from his royal box, was unable to conceal his delight as he applauded.
Morocco’s quest to become a soccer superpower is a family affair. It was a passion for the prince’s grandfather, Hassan II, and the current king, Mohammed VI, who oversaw one of the most aggressive buildouts in African sporting history to achieve his aim. The Kingdom is set to be a main co-host of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Mohammed VI's portrait was beside Gianni Infantino as the FIFA president proclaimed in French before kickoff, “This will be the best ever Africa Cup of Nations!”
The only blemish from a Moroccan point of view was an early injury to team captain Romain Saïss, who wiped away tears as he left the field.
“He felt something behind his knee but we don’t know if it is muscular or something else,” Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. “We hope it’s not too serious and that we can get him back later.”
Excitement had been building for hours Sunday and wintry showers failed to dampen the mood. Beninese artist Angélique Kidjo, Moroccan singer Jaylann and French-Moroccan rapper Lartiste performed the tournament’s official song for the first time during a spectacular light show for the opening ceremony.
But the highlight for the Moroccan fans – judging by the sea of smartphones to capture the moment – was the appearance just before kickoff of the king's eldest son beside Infantino and Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football. Prince Moulay Hassan shook hands with the Comoros players and then posed for a photo with the Morocco team, seemingly unperturbed by heavy rainfall.
The Atlas Lions, as Morocco is known, are backed by many to lift what would be just their second Africa Cup title 50 years after their only success in 1976. The final is Jan. 18 next year.
Morocco is the highest-ranked African team at No. 11. The Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the World Cup semifinals in 2022.
Comoros proved to be a difficult opponent on Sunday.
“I am very proud of my players,” Comoros coach Stefano Cusin said of his team's battling performance. “We have a lot of youngsters. I think we gave a good image of Comoros.”
The opening match was played in Rabat’s renovated almost 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, one of nine venues across six cities that were constructed or renovated for the tournament.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi remained among the substitutes after recovering from an ankle injury. He showed his African Footballer of the Year trophy to fans before kickoff.
The tournament mascot is a lion named Assad, inspired by the barbary lions that once prowled the mountains of north Africa. The last known photograph of a wild lion in Morocco was taken by French army photographer Marcelin Flandrin from a flight over the Atlas Mountains in 1925.
Egypt begins its bid for a record-extending eighth title – and Mohamed Salah’s first – against Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday. Defending champion Ivory Coast begins its title defense against Mozambique in Marrakech on Wednesday. Senegal and five-time champion Cameroon are also among the favorites, while Algeria was the only country apart from Morocco to have all its matches sold out already.
The future of the biennial tournament took a twist Saturday with the announcement it will move to a four-year cycle to bring it in line with the FIFA calendar.
“The AFCON every four years will be an event nobody wants to miss,” Regragui said. “What I want is to see African football grow.”
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A Morocco fan waits for the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations and the opening group A soccer match between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A Moroccan fan cheers before the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco, waves while FIFA President Gianni Infantino applauds before the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations and the opening group A soccer match between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
People take part in a parade celebrating the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations soccer competition, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
People take part in a parade celebrating the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations soccer competition, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
People take part in a parade celebrating the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations soccer competition, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
People take part in a parade celebrating the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations soccer competition, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
People dressed as mascots take part in a parade celebrating the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations soccer competition, in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
