Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT)
(Note: Some schedules reference Saturday slots, but confirmed Sunday afternoon FOX national window)
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Broadcast: FOX: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, Jen Hale (field reporter), NFL+ (streaming)
Local radio on WFNZ (Panthers) and WDAE (Buccaneers)
Capacity: ~74,000 (expected strong divisional crowd; mild weather aids turnout)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) visit the Carolina Panthers (7-7) in a pivotal NFC South showdown with potential playoff implications for both teams. Tied in the standings, this late-season divisional battle could decide tiebreakers or wildcard positioning. Tampa Bay seeks to exploit Carolina’s inconsistencies, while the Panthers aim to capitalize on home field in a rivalry that’s been competitive recently. The teams split or played close in recent meetings, adding intensity to this .500 clash.
Team Records
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-7 overall (NFC South standing tied)
Carolina Panthers: 7-7 overall (NFC South standing tied)
Both teams hovering at .500, fighting to stay relevant in a wide-open division/wildcard race.
Recent Team Forms
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mixed; alternating results lately): Todd Bowles’ squad has shown flashes but inconsistency, with recent games featuring high-scoring affairs and defensive lapses. Offense relies on Baker Mayfield’s arm and playmakers like Mike Evans (when healthy); run game solid but secondary vulnerable. Road form decent but prone to turnovers.
Carolina Panthers (Inconsistent; alternating wins/losses): Dave Canales’ group has improved from early struggles, showing resilience at home with balanced attack. QB play (Bryce Young or successor) maturing; defense opportunistic but struggles against pass. Home games often close, with recent form true to .500 pattern.
Weather Updates
Charlotte, NC (December 21, 2025 afternoon kickoff): Partly cloudy to clear, temperatures 55-60°F at kickoff dropping to upper 40s. Light winds (5-10 mph), low precipitation chance (<10%). Mild Carolina winter—ideal for offenses, no major impacts on passing or field conditions.
Injury Report (as of December 18-19 practice reports)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Out/Limited: WR Mike Evans (collarbone, limited/DNP), WR Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula, DNP), LB Lavonte David (knee, limited).
Questionable: Various depth pieces.
Impact: Receiver room thinned significantly; defense misses David’s leadership.
Carolina Panthers:
Out/Limited: OT Ikem Ekwonu (knee, DNP), WR Tetairoa McMillan (various, limited/returning), DL/OL depth.
Questionable: EDGE/DL pieces.
Impact: Offensive line protection concerns; receiver returning boosts offense.
Buccaneers hit harder at skill positions; Panthers monitoring line health.
Key Player Matchups
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield vs. Panthers Secondary: Mayfield (efficient when protected) targets remaining receivers; faces Panthers’ improving but vulnerable pass D—big play potential if Evans/Godwin limited.
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard (or lead back) vs. Buccaneers Front Seven: Hubbard’s volume exploits Bucs’ average run D; ground control key for Carolina clock management.
Buccaneers WRs (remaining) vs. Panthers CBs: Depleted group tests young Panthers secondary; Jaycee Horn (if healthy) matchup critical.
Panthers QB vs. Buccaneers Pass Rush: Young/mobile threat but pressured often; Bucs’ front (Antoine Winfield Jr. impact) forces mistakes.
Special Teams Edge: Both average; mild weather favors kickers.
Series History
All-time: Carolina leads 25-24 (close rivalry).
Recent: Split or competitive; Buccaneers won several prior, but Panthers competitive at home (13-12 home record vs. TB).
This season: Potential first or second meeting; trend toward physical, lower-scoring divisional games.
Betting Trends
Trends: Buccaneers 8-6 ATS in recent; Panthers cover at home vs. division. Series often Under in December; close spreads common.
Historical: Favorites cover ~60% in recent matchups; games decided by FG or less frequently.
BUCCANEERS NOTES:
• QB BAKER MAYFIELD passed for 277 yards & 2 TDs for 90.0 rating in Week 15. Has TD pass in 13 of his past 14 games & aims for 3rd in row on road with TD pass. Had 359 pass yards & career-high 5 TDs in last meeting. • RB BUCKY IRVING had team-high 60 rush yards in Week 15. Has 80+ scrimmage yards in 5 of his past 6 games. Had career-high 152 rush yards & had TD in last meeting. • RB RACHAAD WHITE has 75+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. Car. • RB SEAN TUCKER had rush TD last week & aims for 3rd in row with rush TD. • WR MIKE EVANS led team with season-high 132 rec. yards in Week 15. Had 8 receptions for 97 yards & 2 TDs in last meeting. • WR EMEKA EGBUKA leads all rookies with 870 rec. yards & tied-1st with 6 TD catches this season. • WR CHRIS GODWIN had 1st TD reception of season in Week 15. • TE DEVIN CULP had 1st career TD catch last week. • NT VITA NEA has sack in 2 of his past 3. • LB LAVONTE DAVID had 6 tackles, PD & FF in Week 15. Has 7+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 games on road. • LB HAASON REDDICK had sack & FF in Week 15. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB YAYA DIABY has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Had sack in last meeting & has sack in 3 of his past 4 vs. Car. • LB DEION JONES had season-high 8 tackles last week. • CB JACOB PARRISH (rookie) had 1st career FR in Week 15. • S CHRISTIAN IZIEN had 8 tackles & 1st FF of season in Week 15. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. led team with season-high 13 tackles in Week 15. Aims for 5th in row on road with 6+ tackles. Has PD in 2 of his past 3. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 vs. Car.
PANTHERS NOTES:
• QB BRYCE YOUNG passed for 163 yards & TD in Week 15. Aims for 5th in row with TD pass. Had 203 pass yards & 2 TDs in last meeting & aims for 3rd in row vs. TB with TD pass. • RB RICO DOWDLE had 54 scrimmage yards & rush TD in Week 15. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 games. Aims for 2nd consecutive 1,000+ rush yard season (978). • WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN has TD reception in 3 of his past 4 games. Ranks tied-1st among rookies with 6 TD receptions & 2nd with 851 rec. yards this season. Has 60+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. • WR JALEN COKER led team with 60 rec. yards & TD in Week 15. Aims for 3rd in row with TD reception. • LB TREVIS GIPSON had 1st sack of season in Week 15. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM had 6 tackles & 1st sack of season in Week 15. Has 6+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 at home. • LB D.J. WONNUM had season-high 2 sacks in Week 15. • DT BOBBY BROWN had 6 tackles & 0.5 sack last week. • CB JAYCEE HORN had season-high 7 tackles & had 2 PD in Week 15. Aims for 3rd in row with 2 PD. Ranks tied-2nd with 5 INTs this season. Aims for 4th in row vs. TB with PD. • CB MIKE JACKSON had 6 tackles, TFL, PD & 1st FF this season in Week 15. Aims for 6th in row with PD. Has INT in 2 of his past 3. Ranks tied-7th with 14 PD in 2025. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. TB. • S NICK SCOTT led team with season-high 10 tackles in Week 15. Aims for 5th in row with 8+ tackles. • S TRE’VON MOEHRIG had 5 tackles in Week 15 & aims for 6th in row with 5+ tackles. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. Had 3 PDs in last game vs. TB (12/8/24, w/ LV).
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 3
Carolina Panthers 45.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 20, 2025
