The NFC South will take a huge step toward being decided on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) face the Carolina Panthers (7-7) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. These teams are tied for first place in the division with just a few games left in the regular season, making this one of the most important games in Week 16 of the NFL season. Before kickoff from North Carolina, continue reading to get my Buccaneers vs Panthers prediction.
Our Buccaneers vs Panthers Pick
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
- Broadcast: FOX
Key Storylines
The NFC South crown is still very much in play, and this game is a mini‑playoff for both teams. Tampa Bay enters Week 16 tied with Carolina at 7‑7, hoping to reclaim sole possession of first place in the division with a road win. The Buccaneers have seen their season take on a more tenuous feel after losing five of their last six contests and giving up leads late in games. They most recently surrendered a 14‑point fourth-quarter lead to the Atlanta Falcons, losing 29‑28.
Carolina also comes in at 7‑7, having dropped a tight game to the Saints late last week by a score of 20‑17. The Panthers are aiming for their first NFC South title since 2015 and will be backed by a home crowd eager for postseason relevance. The big question for the Panthers is whether their young core can deliver in this game, given their lack of big-game experience.
Quarterback Play
Tampa Bay will lean on Baker Mayfield to provide explosiveness through the air against a Carolina defense that has shown vulnerabilities against both the run and pass. Mayfield has Mike Evans back on the field and that helped him to play a productive game against the Falcons last week. But avoiding mistakes will be key for Mayfield after a sloppy fourth quarter against Atlanta last Thursday.
On the other sideline, Carolina’s Bryce Young will try to guide the Panthers to a crucial divisional victory. Young has faced ups and downs this season but has a strong connection with rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who leads the Panthers’ offense in targets and receptions. Young has 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions and will look to pass the most important test of his pro career in this matchup.
Betting Trends & H2H
- This is the first of two games that these teams will play against each other over the final three weeks of the regular season.
- The Buccaneers are 5-9 against the spread this season, tied for the worst ATS record in the NFL.
- Carolina is 8-6 against the spread this year.
Buccaneers vs Panthers Model Projection
Final Thoughts
