The San Francisco 49ers have a big matchup against the Carolina Panthers that will swing the playoff odds in a big way. If the 49ers want to walk out of Week 12 with an 8-4 record and an easy walk into the playoffs, they need a few key names to become big-time players .

The Carolina Panthers can take the NFC South lead with a win on Monday night. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered their third straight loss on Sunday night, opening the door for the Panthers.

Starting Thursday, you'll be able to support the Carolina Panthers and Luke Combs at the same time.Die-hard Panthers fan Luke has partnered with the team for an exclusive merchandise collaboration, which will drop Thursday at 11 a.

What comes after this season is over. though? While Hubbard is still under contract several more years, Dowdle will become a free agent in March. Asked by ESPN if he has had any contract talks with the team yet on Thursday, Dowdle had a simple answer.

David Tepper, the founder of the $20 billion Appaloosa Management, may have finally cracked the winning code for his flagging N.F.L. team.