This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/panthers/onsi as NFL Week 17 picks spell doom for Carolina Panthers' playoff hopes. The Carolina Panthers can clinch the NFC South this weekend. They need a few things to happen, but if those things do, they'll be division champs for the first time since they went to the Super Bowl.

The Carolina Panthers will have an opportunity to clinch the NFC South’s spot in the NFL playoffs on Sunday for the first time since 2015, but only if they beat the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the Miami Dolphins.

Seattle’s defense again doing what it has all season also would set up a showdown next week at San Francisco for the NFC West title.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/panthers/onsi as NFL analyst names the Carolina Panthers' fatal flaw for potential playoff run. If you've ever watched the Carolina Panthers this year, you've probably noticed one thing. The defense is pretty solid, but they have a tendency to bend without breaking.

According to head coach Dave Canalaes, starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is expected to return to the lineup here in Week 17. Ekwonu, who missed last weekend's massive win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a knee injury, was a full participant in practice throughout the week and has been listed without a game designation.

The Panthers returned to practice on Wednesday. The Charlotte Observer was there to get the latest news, notes and more before Christmas.

With the No. 8 overall pick, the Panthers selected Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and he has already transformed the offense in his first season in the league. NFL.com writer Bucky Brooks graded the first-round picks and gave McMillan an "A" for his efforts.