Although the Panthers faced defeat on Saturday, running back Rico Dowdle still found reason to celebrate.

During the third quarter of Carolina’s narrow 16-14 defeat to the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., Dowdle earned a $1 million bonus with a four-yard rush that pushed him past 1,350 scrimmage yards for the season.

Before the match began, Dowdle needed just seven more yards to hit the target required for his bonus, but he had a slow start.

There was also an extra $250,000 up for grabs if Dowdle managed to score a touchdown, but he was unable to achieve that milestone.

When Dowdle signed with the Panthers this past offseason, the bonus seemed unlikely, as the 27-year-old was initially expected to back up Chuba Hubbard.

Dowdle, however, ended up starting 11 games for the Panthers this season, with Hubbard losing his starting role due to lingering effects to a calf injury he suffered back in 2024.

Going into the Week 18 matchup against Tampa Bay, Dowdle had 1,066 rushing yards on 229 carries and six rushing touchdowns, along with 277 receiving yards on 37 receptions.

Carolina, who came into Saturday’s game ranked 11th in the NFL in yards per game, saw their ground game struggle against Tampa Bay, with the Panthers racking up just 19 total rushing yards.

The Panthers’ performance in the air was not much better, with quarterback Bryce Young throwing for 266 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while completing 24-of-35 passes.

With Saturday’s loss, Carolina’s playoff chances lie in the hands of Sunday’s game between the Saints and Falcons — the Panthers need an Atlanta victory to clinch their first postseason appearance since 2017.

“I think we’ll all be on the edge of our seats,” Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters following the game. “Hoping for the Falcons to come through, but at the same time, at least we have that hope to look at.

“We have to look at ourselves and we have to make sure that in these championship moments that we play our best.”