Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season continues with a NFC South matchup when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers battle the Carolina Panthers Sunday afternoon in the Tar Heel State and we have you covered with our Buccaneers vs. Panthers prediction. Tampa Bay fell 29-28 to Atlanta at home last Thursday in their previous contest, losing outright as a 6.5-point favorite. Carolina fell 20-17 to New Orleans on the road in their previous contest last Sunday, losing outright as a 2.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Panthers own a 25-24 advantage but the Buccaneers have won the last five meetings, including a 48-14 home win in the most recent matchup December 29, 2024. Read more about this Buccaneers vs. Panthers prediction! Don’t get sacked this football season! Try our NFL Picks!
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Terms & Conditions Buccaneers Trying to Get Back in Win Column
Tampa Bay dropped their second straight and their fifth in the last six games as they fell at home to Atlanta on Thursday Night Football last week. The Buccaneers fell to 7-7 on the year and are tied with the Panthers for the top spot in the NFC South. Against Atlanta, Tampa Bay led 7-0 after the opening quarter, trailed 14-13 at the half, led 20-14 after three quarters and owned a 28-14 advantage with 13:34 to play only to give up the game’s final 15 points, including a 43-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez, at the final gun to wind up with the loss. The Buccaneers were outgained 476-338 in total offense and lost time of possession by a 31:51 to 28:09 margin. Both teams turned the ball over once while Tampa Bay held a 28-27 advantage in first downs in the loss.
On the season, the Buccaneers are tied for 20th in the league with an average of 203.4 yards per contest through the air and 22nd in the league in rushing offense with 113.2 yards per contest on the ground. Tampa Bay is 16th in the league in scoring offense as they average 23.4 points per game while they are ranked 24th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 25.3 points per contest. Baker Mayfield is 276 of 451 passing for 2,999 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has been sacked 29 times while ranking fourth on the team with 286 yards and a score on the ground. Teddy Bridgewater (eight of 15, 62 yards) is the backup. Bucky Irving is second on the team on the ground with 119 carries for 413 yards plus a touchdown while Rachaad White adds 118 carries for 494 yards plus four scores. Sean Tucker (76 carries, 313 yards, six TD) has also been in the mix. Mike Evans (20 grabs, 272 yards, TD), Emeka Egbuka (58 grabs, 870 yards, six TD), Irving (24 catches, 250 yards, three TD), White (34 grabs, 178 yards), Cade Otton (46 catches, 430 yards), Chris Godwin Jr. (20 receptions, 214 yards, TD) and Sterling Shepherd (39 receptions, 371 yards, TD) are good targets when Mayfield goes to the air. Chase McLaughlin has connected on 27 of 28 extra points and 26 of 30 field goal attempts with a long of 65 this season.
Key Injuries for Buccaneers:
Carolina Looking to Take Sole Possession of NFC South Lead
Carolina had a chance to move into first in the NFC South last week but let a lead slip away late on the road in New Orleans. The Panthers fell to 7-7 as they’ve alternated wins and losses in their last eight games and stand tied with Tampa Bay for the top spot in the NFC South. Against New Orleans, Carolina led 7-0 after the opening quarter, 10-7 at the half, 17-7 in the third quarter and 17-10 after three quarters. The Panthers allowed 10 points in the final 2:29, including a game-winning field goal with two seconds remaining, to wind up with the loss. Carolina was outgained 337-281 in total offense, allowed 27 first downs while picking up 18, lost time of possession by a 31:44 to 28:16 margin while committing the game’s lone turnover.
For the season, the Panthers enter week 15 25th in the league in passing offense with an average of 183.4 yards per game through the air and 9th in rushing offense by grinding out 125.6 yards per contest. Carolina is 28th in the league in scoring offense as they average 18.9 points per game while they are 14th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 22.6 points per contest. Bryce Young is 245 of 387 for 2,500 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions while contributing 170 yards and a score on the ground. Andy Dalton has completed 25 of 37 passes for 293 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Rico Dowdle leads the ground game with 208 carries for 978 yards and six scores. Chuba Hubbard (119 carries, 462 yards, TD) is next in line in that department. Rookie Tetairoa McMillan leads the team with 59 receptions for 851 yards and six scores. Xavier Legette (30 receptions, 326 yards, three TD), Dowdle (30 catches, 259 yards, TD) along with tight ends Tommy Tremble (22 grabs, 199 yards, TD) and Ja’Tavion Sanders (27 catches, 181 yards) have been valuable options as well. Ryan Fitzgerald is 22 of 25 on extra point attempts and 20 of 24 on field goal tries with a long of 57 this season.
Key Injuries for Panthers:
Defensive end Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) is out. Wide receiver David Moore (elbow) is questionable. Tackle Ikem Ekwonu (knee) is questionable. Buccaneers vs. Panthers PickSpread Pick for Buccaneers vs. Panthers
Both teams have been inconsistent at best, which describes to a T why these teams are .500 on the year with three games to go. The NFC South has been awful, which also explains why these teams, despite their issues, are tied for the top spot in the division. Tampa Bay is as healthy as they have been this season with all their weapons back in the mix, which should work in their favor. The Panthers have struggled offensively this season, ranking in the bottom five in the league in scoring offense on the year. Tampa Bay has had Carolina’s number of late, winning nine of the last 10 meetings. Look for the Buccaneers to come away with the victory here as the offensive weaponry proves to be the difference.
Over/Under Pick for Buccaneers vs. Panthers
Tampa Bay enters this game having seen the over post an 8-6 mark in their 14 games this season. The Buccaneers have stayed under the number in five of their seven road games on the year. Carolina has split their 14 games in relation to the total on the year. Four of their last six games entering this game have fallen short of the mark. At home on the year, four of their six contests have gone past the number. The over is 6-3-1 in the last 10 meetings between the teams, including four of the last five contests. With Tampa Bay at full strength, look for them to push this game over the total.
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