by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025
Game Time: 4:30 pm ET, Saturday, January 3, 2026
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Where to Watch: ESPN, ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Panthers +2.5, Buccaneers -2.5; Over/Under: 43.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Panthers +2.5, Buccaneers -2.5; Over/Under: 44 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Panthers +2.5, Buccaneers -2.5; Over/Under: 44 points
Season Record
Carolina Panthers: 8-8 (1st place, NFC South)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-9 (2nd place, NFC South)
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Recent Form
Carolina Panthers: lost their last game at home against the Seattle Seahawks 27-10.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: lost their last game on the road against the Miami Dolphins 20-17.
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview and Analysis
The Panthers are entering this game with an 8-8 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 5-3 in their home games, 3-5 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Seattle Seahawks 27-10. Bryce Young was the starting QB and he completed 14/24 passes for 54 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Rico Dowdle led the team in rushing yards with 59. Jalen Coker led the receivers with 16 receiving yards on 2 receptions. Mike Jackson led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Tre'von Moehrig, D.J. Wonnum, and Nic Scourton each led the defense in sacks with 1. Mike Jackson came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Buccaneers are entering this game with a 7-9 record overall and they have a 2-3 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-4 in their home games, 4-5 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Miami Dolphins 20-17. Baker Mayfield was the starting QB and he completed 33/44 passes for 346 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Bucky Irving led the team in rushing yards with 19. Jalen McMillan led the receivers with 114 receiving yards on 7 receptions. SirVocea Dennis led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Logan Hall and YaYa Diaby led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Panthers vs Buccaneers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Panthers listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Panthers have looked good in their games this season with their 8-8 record overall which has them right at the top of the NFC South. They haven't been a great road team though with their 3-5 road record this season. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers haven't looked good in their games this season with their 7-9 record overall, but that record still has them right near the top of the NFC South in a weak division. They haven't looked great on their own home field though with their 3-4 home record this year. The Buccaneers have looked terrible lately with 4 losses in a row now and they have been playing their way out of the playoffs. They have been falling apart over the last few weeks with a terrible defense and even if they win this game, they would still need a Falcons loss to secure the division. The Panthers are off a 27-10 loss to the Seahawks in their last one and they have been really up and down all year, but they beat the Bucs just 2 weeks ago and have complete control of their own destiny. The Panthers just need to win to get in and as bad as that loss was last week, they didn't look terrible in that game as they were in it for a while. The Buccaneers are a disaster on defense right now and the Panthers have been the more solid team lately. The best way to place a bet here is on the Panthers to cover the spread in this game.
Panthers Buccaneers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Saturday, January 3, 2026 (4:30 pm ET start time) is Panthers 20 Buccaneers 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Carolina Panthers: 8-16 ATS in road games. 4-9 ATS as a road underdog of 7 points or less. 6-11 ATS off a home loss. 7-3 UNDER in games where the line is +3 to -3. 5-1 UNDER versus division opponents.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9-3 ATS revenging a loss against an opponent. 9-4 ATS after a loss by 6 or less points. 3-0 ATS revenging an upset loss against an opponent as a favorite. 4-1 UNDER revenging a road loss against an opponent. 5-1 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive losses.
Key Injuries
Carolina Panthers: D. Moore (WR) Injured - Elbow. C. Cherelus (LB) Injured - Ankle. R. Hunt (OG) Questionable - Biceps. C. Mays (C) Injured - Elbow. J. Horn (CB) Injured - Shoulder. I. Ekwonu (OT) Injured - Knee. T. Wharton (DL) Out - Hamstring. T. Wallace (LB) Out - Shoulder. C. Jackson (DL) Injured - Ankle. T. McMillan (WR) Injured - NIR - Rest.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: M. Evans (WR) Injured - Rest. L. David (LB) Injured - Rest. C. Godwin Jr. (WR) Injured - Fibula. A. Nelson (LB) Out - Knee. T. Wirfs (OT) Out - Toe. L. Goedeke (OT) Injured - Ankle. L. Hall (DL) Injured - Knee. C. Kancey (DL) Out - Pectoral. K. Johnson (WR) Injured - Knee. D. Culp (TE) Injured - Illness.
Notable Quotes
“We definitely feel the missed opportunity, but at the same time we know what is in front of us. It is clearly defined. We have to get over the fact that we missed an opportunity with the Bucs losing that game. But our focus has to go to the next one pretty quickly.” - Dave Canales after his team’s loss against the Seahawks in their last game.
“It’s not the leadership failing, it’s the execution.” - Todd Bowles after his team’s loss against the Dolphins in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Carolina Panthers
WR McMillan, Tetairoa
WR Legette, Xavier
WR Coker, Jalen
TE Tremble, Tommy
QB Young, Bryce
RB Dowdle, Rico
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Evans, Mike
WR Egbuka, Emeka
WR Godwin Jr., Chris
TE Otton, Cade
QB Mayfield, Baker
RB Irving, Bucky
Statistical Leaders
Carolina Panthers
Passing: Bryce Young (2,745)
Rushing: Rico Dowdle (1,066)
Receiving: Tetairoa McMillan (929)
Touchdowns: Rico Dowdle (7)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Passing: Baker Mayfield (3,490)
Rushing: Rachaad White (549)
Receiving: Emeka Egbuka (930)
Touchdowns: Sean Tucker (8)
Coaches:
Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales (2nd season)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
