NFL Football
2026-01-03 - Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 18
Saturday 3rd January 2025 - Scheduled 4:30pm
9:30pm (British Time)
Preview
There will be a lot of regret in Atlanta that the Falcons are already eliminated considering how open the NFC South Division has been, but they may yet have a big impact on the final standings and which team will be playing in the post-season.
The Falcons are still involved after upsetting the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17, although they will not be a factor if the Carolina Panthers (8-8) are able to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) for the second time in three weeks.
It remains the ultimate focus for the Panthers who will not want to be nervously watching Sunday results and hoping they are still able to move through to the Playoffs via the backdoor. An Atlanta win over New Orleans will mean the Panthers are in no matter what happens on Saturday, but it has been made clear to the players that the only control they have over the situation is winning this game in Tampa Bay.
Things are much, much clearer for the Buccaneers who know their grip of the Division has been loosened by losing a number of tight games over the last month.
That includes a late Interception in the defeat to the Panthers in Week 16 when the Buccaneers looked on course for at least a game-tying Field Goal and perhaps the go-ahead Touchdown. Everyone associated with the Buccaneers have been feeling the disappointment of recent results and Quarter Back Baker Mayfield will need to be at his absolute best if Tampa Bay are alive for at least one more day.
He started the season in fine form, but Mayfield has been playing through injury and that has perhaps contributed to the back-breaking mistakes he has made. Interceptions are one thing, but second half Interceptions hurt so much more and that has become a feature for the Buccaneers, who would have been in a 'winner takes all' spot if they had not been upset by the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.
They cannot change that now and the fans will be expecting a big effort to at least maintain having a chance of playing more Football in January beyond this week.
Injuries have been a big part of the season for the Buccaneers, but they will feel they can run the ball with some success in this one. However, Head Coach Todd Bowles has suggested that too much stock was placed in this aspect of the Offense in the loss to the Carolina Panthers and this time they may choose to use the pass to open the running lanes.
In recent games, teams have been able to pound the rock with some success against the Panthers Defensive Line and the Buccaneers are set to have key performers on the Offensive Line available for this game.
Tampa Bay will want to establish the run to at least slow the Carolina pass rush, which has been a big weapon for the Panthers in recent games and contributed to stronger play out of the Secondary. They will be tested by the likes of Mike Evans, who has shown how much he has been missed for long stretches of the season, and the Buccaneers will note that they had more Offensive yards than the Carolina Panthers in the Week 16 loss.
On that day it proved to be the sole Interception thrown by Baker Mayfield which made the difference, and the Buccaneers have been speaking about playing a clean game.
The same will be said for the Carolina Panthers who will certainly feel they can run the ball with success in this one too and that will help ease the pressure on Bryce Young. The Quarter Back has shown positive flashes, but there are still plenty of outings like the one in Week 17 in which Young has struggled in the passing game and that has perhaps held the Panthers back.
Bryce Young should have more time than Baker Mayfield and he should be in third and manageable spots on the field, but he did not reach 200 passing yards in the win over the Buccaneers and has struggled for consistency. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can get in front, they will certainly feel they can contain the Carolina passing game for long enough to earn the win and continue the home dominance of this Divisional rival.
Nothing has come easy for a team that has gotten used to losing close games, but the Buccaneers were driving for a win in Week 16 and this time they can use home field to just edge past the Panthers and then hope the Atlanta Falcons fail to win the final game of the season on Sunday.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite, although the Buccaneers will still need to wait to see if they are going to extend their run of consecutive Playoff appearances.
The Pick :
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-20 Carolina Panthers
