Update On Bucs’ Week 18 Home Game
December 22nd, 2025
Yes, the Bucs likely will play for the NFC South crown in the season finale against Carolina. That game will be played in two weeks at The Licht House, though the date and time have yet to be scheduled.
Joe has been fielding questions from fans about when that game might be played. In fact, no Week 18 game across the NFL has been scheduled. So it could be Saturday, Jan. 3, or it could be Sunday, Jan. 4.
The Bucs could be eliminated from the postseason if the Panthers beat Seattle on Sunday and the Bucs lose to Miami. But that’s the only combination that would make the Bucs-Panthers clash in Week 18 meaningless.
And if the game has meaning, it’s very likely to be given a prime time slot.
Per the NFL, in Week 18, two games will be played on Saturday (4:30 PM ET and 8:00 PM ET) with the remainder to be played on Sunday afternoon (1:00 PM ET and 4:25 PM ET), or Sunday night (8:20 PM ET). Specific dates, start times, and networks for Week 18 matchups will be determined and announced following the conclusion of Week 17.
So Bucs fans will have to wait another six or seven days for an announcement on the season finale.
Joe is hoping for the Saturday slot at 4:30 p.m. Get it over with. And if the Bucs win, then they would have maximum rest before hosting a playoff game against a damn good football team.
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