First place is up for grabs when NFC South leaders Carolina (7-7) and Tampa Bay (7-7) meet Sunday in Charlotte. It is the first of two meetings this season between these franchises who will face each other again the final week of the regular season.
If the Panthers and the Bucs split these two games and are tied at the end of the regular season, Tampa takes the tiebreaker based on common games.
The Panthers have not fared well against the Buccaneers of late. Since 2020, Tampa Bay is 9-1 against Carolina, including wins in their last five. That said, Tampa Bay is just 1-5 in their last 6 games after starting the season 6-2. Since Week 10, the Bucs’ defense ranks T-29th in pts/game allowed (29.3) and 30th in yds/game allowed (384.0).
Lets take a closer look at these two teams and see if we can find an angle on which to wager.
NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from DraftKings, player news and updates courtesy of Rotoworld, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.
Game Details and How to Watch the Buccaneers vs. Panthers live SundayDate: Sunday, December 21, 2025Time: 1:00PM ESTSite: Bank of America StadiumCity: Charlotte, NCNetwork/Streaming: FOX
Want to check out the other games on the NFL schedule this week? We’ve got you covered at NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action!
Game Odds: Buccaneers at Panthers
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-155), Carolina Panthers (+130)Spread: Buccaneers -3Total: 45.5 points
This game opened at Buccaneers -1.5 with the Game Total set at 45.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NFL schedule!
Quarterback Matchup: Tampa Bay at CarolinaBuccaneers Starting QB: Baker Mayfield
Last Game: 12/11 vs. Atlanta – 19-34, 277yds, 2TDs, 1INT, Sacked 5 times, 1 carry for 1yd rushing
Season: 14GP, 276-451, 2999yds, 22TDs, 7INTs, Sacked 29 times, 44 carries for 286yds rushing Panthers Starting QB: Bryce Young
Last Game: 12/14 at New Orleans – 15-24, 163yds, 1TD, 0INTs, Sacked 1 time, 7 carries for 49yds rushing
Season: 13GP, 245-387, 2500yds, 19TDs, 9INTs, Sacked 23 times, 39 carries for 170yds rushing
NFL Week 16 Preview: Buccaneers vs. Panthers
Mike Florio and Chris Simms discuss the keys for the Buccaneers and Panthers in a high stakes NFC South clash, debating who is more capable of responding to take sole possession of the division lead.
Buccaneers at Panthers: Team Stats and Betting TrendsBaker Mayfield is 5-0 in his career vs. Carolina (4-0 with TB)Mike Evans had 6 catches last weekend for 132yds on 12 targets in his first game back since Week 7Bryce Young has 13 career wins as a starting QB in his NFL career … 11 of those 13 wins have come with him leading a game-winning driveYoung is 0-4 against Tampa Bay in his careerTampa Bay is just 5-9 ATS this seasonThe OVER has cashed in 8 of Tampa Bay’s 14 games (8-6)Carolina is 8-6 ATS this seasonThe OVER has cashed in half of Carolina’s 14 games (7-7)Buccaneers Player InjuriesWR Mike Evans (collarbone) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s gameTE Cade Otton (knee) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s gameLB Lavonte David (knee) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game
Panthers Player InjuriesWR Tetairoa McMillan (ankle) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s gameLT Ikem Ekwonu (knee) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s gameLG Damien Lewis (illness) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s gameRT Taylor Moton (back) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s gameDE Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) is listed as questionable for this Sunday’s gameWR David Moore (elbow) is eligible to be activated from the IR for Sunday’s game Rotoworld Best Bets
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, stadium information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Best bets our model is projecting for this week’s game between the Buccaneers and the PanthersMoneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Carolina Panthers at +3.Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the UNDER on the Game Total of 45.5.
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest betting info & tools for NFL with player news, game predictions, player props, futures, and trends!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
● Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
● Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
● Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
● Trysta Krick (@Trista_Krick)