Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales called the rule concerning hitting a sliding quarterback a "difficult challenge" for defensive players, after an unnecessary roughness penalty on Lathan Ransom set up the New Orleans Saints' game-winning field goal in Sunday's 20-17 loss.

A would-be 62-yard field goal attempt was cut to a more manageable 47-yard effort after a borderline late hit.

When the Carolina Panthers played the New Orleans Saints in October, they threw away a compelling opportunity. On Sunday, they squandered an even larger one. The Panthers were stunned by the Saints, who saw a game-winning field goal fly through the uprights with two seconds remaining to give them a 20-17 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Panthers rookie linebacker Lathan Ransom made a huge mistake on Sunday with nine seconds left when he hit a sliding Tyler Shough on the quarterback's final carry of regulation. That drew a penalty that moved the Saints 15 yards closer to the end zone, turning a 62-yard field-goal attempt by Charlie Smyth into a 47 yarder.

With a victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Carolina Panthers would have had an opportunity to clinch their first NFC South title since 2015 in their next game. But the Panthers lost to the Saints 20-17 and will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with the teams tied for the division lead.

Charlie Smyth kicked a 47-yard field goal late in regulation, lifting the Saints to a 20-17 comeback victory over the playoff-hopeful Carolina Panthers

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.

That’s my big takeaway from the last week of football. The Bucs look tired, the Panthers look like they still haven’t figured out how to tie their shoes every day, and the 4-10 New Orleans Saints might legitimately be the best team in the division.