The 2025 NFL regular season concludes with a pivotal NFC South clash in Week 18 between the Carolina Panthers (8-8) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9). The Panthers can clinch their first division title since 2015 and end a nine-year playoff drought with a win, while the Buccaneers need a victory plus help from other results to keep their slim postseason hopes alive. This game features contrasting styles: Carolina’s resurgent defense under coordinator Ejiro Evero against Tampa Bay’s veteran-led offense quarterbacked by Baker Mayfield.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This outdoor venue, home to the Buccaneers, has a capacity of approximately 65,000 and is known for its pirate ship end-zone feature and warm-weather advantages.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET.
The game will be broadcast nationally ESPN/ABC: Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick, Katie George (field reporter), Peter Schrager (field reporter)
Westwood One: J.P. Shadrick, Mike Mayock
Weather Updates
Tampa’s January weather is expected to be mild and favorable for football. Forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a high of around 73-75°F during the day, dropping to the low 60s by evening. There’s a low 1-2% chance of precipitation, with light winds around 5 mph and humidity in the 50-70% range. No major disruptions anticipated, though players should prepare for potential late-afternoon shadows.
Injury Report
Carolina Panthers:
The Panthers enter relatively healthy but with a few key concerns on the lines. Linebacker Krys Barnes (back) did not practice Tuesday and is questionable. Center Chandler Zavala (undisclosed) is also questionable after limited participation. Running back Jonathon Brooks remains out for the season on the PUP list. Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was placed on injured reserve, prompting the team to claim safety D’Anthony Bell off waivers for depth. Quarterback Bryce Young and the starting offensive line are expected to be full go.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Tampa Bay has several defensive and offensive line issues. Cornerback Jamel Dean (shoulder) did not participate in practice Tuesday or Wednesday and is questionable. Edge rusher Anthony Nelson (knee) also DNP and questionable. Offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (undisclosed) is questionable after missing early-week sessions. Tight end Ko Kieft is on injured reserve with a leg injury. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder/toe history) is expected to play despite being monitored.
Key Player Matchups
This divisional finale could be decided by trench battles and explosive plays, with several marquee individual duels.
Panthers QB Bryce Young vs. Buccaneers Secondary: Young has improved in his third year, throwing for over 3,000 yards with a better TD-INT ratio. He’ll face a Bucs secondary thinned by Dean’s potential absence, relying on safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to disrupt. Young’s mobility could exploit Tampa’s 25th-ranked pass defense.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Panthers CB Jaycee Horn: Evans, despite a down year with a 66.9 passer rating when targeted, remains a red-zone threat. Horn, Carolina’s shutdown corner, has limited top receivers this season and could shadow Evans, forcing Mayfield to look elsewhere.
Panthers EDGE Jadeveon Clowney vs. Buccaneers OT Tristan Wirfs: Clowney’s pass-rush (5.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks) will test Wirfs, who has been solid but is banged up. If Wirfs is limited, Clowney could pressure Mayfield into mistakes.
Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving vs. Panthers Front Seven: Irving’s emergence (consistent yardage) faces Carolina’s stout run defense, ranked top-10 in yards allowed per carry. Linebacker Josey Jewell (61 tackles) will key on stopping the ground game.
Recent Team Forms
Carolina Panthers (Last 5 Games):
The Panthers have gone 3-2 in their last five, showing defensive resilience amid offensive ups and downs. Key results: Win 23-20 vs. Buccaneers (Dec 21), Loss at Seahawks (details pending, but close), earlier wins including a defensive shutout. They’ve averaged 18.6 points per game overall but held opponents to under 20 in three of five. Form: W-L-W-L-W.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last 5 Games):
Tampa Bay has struggled, posting a 1-4 record in their final five with defensive lapses. Results: Loss 34-7 vs. Rams, Loss to Dolphins, Win vs. Falcons (38-35 OT?), Losses in prior games averaging 28 points allowed. Offense has flashed (22.8 PPG season), but turnovers plague them. Form: L-L-W-L-L.
Series History
The Panthers hold a slight edge in the all-time series, leading 26-24 in 50 meetings. Carolina has won the last two encounters, including a 23-20 victory on December 21, 2025. The teams split in 2024, with Tampa Bay dominating early divisional history but Carolina pulling ahead recently. No playoff meetings to date.
Betting Trends
Carolina Panthers: 9-7 ATS overall in 2025, including 5-2 ATS at home but 4-5 on the road. They’ve covered in 5 of their last 7 as underdogs and trended under in 7 of 16 games, reflecting defensive strength.
teamrankings.com +2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-10 ATS in 2025, with a dismal 0-5 ATS in their last five games. As favorites, they’re 3-5 ATS, and the over has hit in 9 of 16 contests due to offensive fireworks but defensive woes.
PANTHERS NOTES:
• PANTHERS can clinch 1st NFC South title since 2015 with a win in Week 18 or Atl. victory. Can become 10th team in past 20 seasons (2006-25) with division title after beginning 1-3. • QB BRYCE YOUNG had rush TD in Week 17. Has TD pass in 5 of his past 6. Has 90+ rating in 2 of his past 3 at home. Has 90+ passer rating in 3 of his past 4 games. Had 2 TD passes in Week 16 meeting. • RB RICO DOWDLE had 59 rush yards in Week 17. Has 1,066 rush yards this season, his 2nd consecutive season with 1,000+ rush yards. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 11 of his past 12 games. • WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN (rookie) has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 games on road. Had 73 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 16 meeting. Ranks 1st among rookies with 7 TD catches this season & 2nd with 929 rec. yards. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM had 10 tackles, TFL & 1st FR this season in Week 17. Has 7+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 games. Has sack in 2 of his past 3. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. Had 7 tackles & sack in Week 16 meeting. • LB NIC SCOURTON (rookie) had sack & 1st career FF in Week 17. • DT DERRICK BROWN had 6 tackles in Week 17 & aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Has career-high 5 sacks this season. • DT A’SHAWN ROBINSON had season-high 9 tackles & 1st FR this season in Week 17. • CB MIKE JACKSON led team with 11 tackles & had INT & 2 PD in Week 17. Has PD in 7 consecutive games, longest active streak this season. Ranks 1st with 19 PD in 2025. Had TFL & 3 PD in Week 16 meeting. • CB JAYCEE HORN ranks tied-2nd with 5 INTs this season. • S NICK SCOTT had 7 tackles in Week 17. Aims for 7th in row with 7+ tackles. Tied season-high 10 tackles in Week 16 meeting. • S TRE’VON MOEHRIG had sack & 2 TFL in Week 17. Has 8+ tackles in 2 of his past 3 games on road.
BUCCANEERS NOTES:
• BUCCANEERS can win NFC South for 5th straight season with win & Atl. loss. • QB BAKER MAYFIELD passed for 346 yards & 2 TDs for 93.6 rating in Week 17. Has TD pass in 15 of his past 16 games & aims for 8th in row at home this season with TD pass. Has 250+ pass yards in 2 of his past 3 games. Had TD pass in Week 16 meeting & aims for 4th in row vs. Car. with TD pass. • RB BUCKY IRVING has 70+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8 games. Had 71 rush yards in Week 16 meeting & aims for 3rd in row vs. Car. with 70+ scrimmage yards. • RB RACHAAD WHITE has 60+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5 vs. Car. • RB SEAN TUCKER has rush TD in 3 of his past 4 & had rush TD in Week 16 meeting. • WR MIKE EVANS had 31 rec. yards & TD reception in Week 17 & has 864 receptions for 13,018 yards & 108 TDs in his career, 1 of 9 players in NFL history with 850+ receptions, 13,000 rec. yards & 100 TD catches. Had TD catch in Week 16 meeting & aims for 3rd in row vs. Car. with TD reception. • WR CHRIS GODWIN had 7 catches for season-high 108 yards & TD in Week 16. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 games. • WR EMEKA EGBUKA ranks 1st among rookies with 930 rec. yards this season. • WR JALEN MCMILLAN led team with career-high 114 rec. yards last week. • LB LAVONTE DAVID had 10 tackles & sack in Week 16 meeting. • LB SIRVOCEA DENNIS co-led team with 7 tackles & had TFL in Week 17. Has 7+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 games. • LB YAYA DIABY had season-high 6 tackles, 2 TFL & had sack in Week 17. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. co-led team with 7 tackles in Week 17 & has 7+ tackles in 2 of his past 3 games. • CB JAMEL DEAN had PD in Week 17 & aims for 3rd in row with PD. • CB JACOB PARISH had 5 tackles & 2 PD in Week 16 meeting. • CB BENJAMIN MORRISON (rookie) had PD in Week 17 & has PD in 2 of past 3.
Game Odds
Carolina Panthers 43.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, January 2, 2026
