New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth drills 42-yard field goal to trim the Carolina Panthers lead to 17-10.

New Orleans’ win was sealed by kicker Charlie Smyth, who hit a 47-yard field goal with two seconds left. That field goal was set up by a costly 15-yard penalty committed by Panthers safety Lathan Ransom, who hit Saints quarterback Tyler Shough while he was sliding, turning what would have been a 62-yard field goal into a 47-yard field goal.

The best candidate is likely second-year wide receiver Jalen Coker, whose 2025 season has been slowed by another calf injury but is starting to pick up steam, as he scored his first touchdown of the year two weeks ago against the LA Rams.

The Panthers face the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday. We break down what the game means for the NFL playoff picture in Week 15.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is stuffed at the line of scrimmage for a loss as the New Orleans Saints come up with a huge fourth-down stop in the fourth quarter of their Week 15 game during the 2025 NFL season.

Tyler Shough connected with Chris Olave on a 12-yard touchdown pass to bring the New Orleans Saints level with the Carolina Panthers.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle is on the verge of hitting an historic landmark for undrafted free agents in NFL history.

Watch highlights of New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth with the 42-yard field goal vs. the Carolina Panthers in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season.

What lies ahead for inconsistent Carolina is the aforementioned with the Bucs, a clash with the formidable Seahawks in Charlotte, and a rematch with the Buccaneers at Tampa in Week 18. That’s not an easy path, and that “winnable game” is against a Saints' team that held Carolina to season lows in points (7) and total yards (175) in Week 10.

The Panthers can lock up the NFC South title in 2025 by winning their next two games. It would be their first division title since 2015.