NFL Football
2025-12-21 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 16
Sunday 21st December 2025 - Scheduled 1pm
6pm (British Time)
Preview
The top of the NFC South will be decided in the last three weeks of the regular season as the two leaders meet twice in the remaining schedule.
Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) and Carolina Panthers (7-7) have been struggling for consistency, while both are 2-2 in the Division- make no mistake, the team that wins both of the regular season games between these teams is going to be making it through to the post-season, although the pressure on the losing team will be having to win next week to make sure the winner has not been able to pull clear ahead of the Week 18 rematch.
Neither will be thinking ahead though and this Week 16 game is hugely important.
The Buccaneers lost on Thursday Night Football in Week 15 on a late Field Goal, but Mike Evans was back in action and the mini-Bye has to do the team the world of good. Key players have either missed significant time or they have been playing through the pain and that has hindered the long-time dominant NFC South team.
Carolina were not able to take advantage of the Buccaneers slip after losing to the New Orleans Saints for a second time, but they have been much better in 2025 compared with 2024 and there is still so much for them to play for.
They may be without an important Offensive Lineman for this game, but the Panthers have to feel they can still establish the run against what has been a surprisingly vulnerable Tampa Bay Defensive Line. That is an area where big players have been playing through injury and that has meant the Buccaneers have struggled to stop the run with any consistency, which is an area Carolina have to exploit.
It is important just to take the pressure from Quarter Back Bryce Young, who has continued to be a little up and down.
Bryce Young will be facing a Tampa Bay Secondary that has been struggling to stop plays, but he is hoping that Tetaiora McMillan is able to suit up to give him more options.
Running the ball should be something the Buccaneers are able to do in this game too and they have Bucky Irving back in the lineup, which is a boost. They will be looking to keep the pressure away from Baker Mayfield, who is clearly playing despite not being at 100% healthy, although the return of Mike Evans is a massive boost for the veteran under Center.
He has been faced with some pressure as the Offensive Line have struggled to offer time, but Baker Mayfield can step back and target Evans in any jump ball situation knowing his Wide Receiver will likely win.
That should help and the experience of the Buccaneers should mean they have not panicked too much about some tight losses.
Having a bit of extra time to prepare for this game should also be an important factor in favour of the road team, while Tampa Bay will not have forgotten the dominance they have had over this Divisional rival in recent years. This could all be at play with the Buccaneers capable of finding enough big plays, and perhaps a turnover or two, to turn this game in their own favour.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite.
The Pick :
Carolina Panthers 20-27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
