Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds & Game Schedule

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The Carolina Panthers will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers twice in the final three weeks of the 2025 season, Week 16 and Week 18. Tampa Bay swept Carolina last year, and with both games coming late in the season, these divisional matchups could prove pivotal in shaping the playoff picture. Still, with the Panthers fielding a stronger roster this year, it won’t be a given, Carolina could surprise everyone.

Early odds for the Panthers vs Bucs games are already out at sportsbooks. Check out the latest Panthers vs. Bucs odds below. 👇

Panthers vs Buccaneers Odds: Who Is Favored To Win?

The Panthers host the Bucs in Week 16 on December 21. Early odds have the Panthers as 3.5‑point underdogs at DraftKings North Carolina. These numbers are likely to shift as the season unfolds, and by the time December arrives, the line could look very different.

🏈 Point Spread+3.5
📈 Moneyline+154 (39.3% chance)
📊 TotalO/U 47.5 (-108/-112)
Last Verified:August 28, 2025

Panthers vs Buccaneers Spread: What The Spread Tells Us

The spread for the game currently lists the Buccaneers as 3.5‑point favorites, though that number will likely change before kickoff. For Tampa Bay to cover the spread, they would need to win by at least four points.

Panthers vs Buccaneers Moneyline: What The Moneyline Tells Us

The moneyline favors the Buccaneers at -185 odds, which translates to 64.9% implied probability that they'll win. The Panthers' moneyline odds of +154 give them an implied probability of 39.3%. There’s still a lot of football to be played before the Week 16 matchup. Depending on injuries and team performance, those factors could swing the line significantly by the time the game kicks off.

Carolina Panthers Chances To Win vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Panthers’ success will largely hinge on quarterback Bryce Young and the defense. Offensively, the addition of veteran WR Hunter Renfrow and rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan should give Young more reliable targets, while the run game looks solid with Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and rookie Trevor Etienne in the backfield. 

On defense, key additions like DT Tershawn Wharton, linebackers Pat Jones II and Christian Rozeboom, and rookie CB Cam Jackson are expected to help turn around a unit that ranked last in the league a season ago. That improvement will be tested later in the season when the Panthers face Tampa Bay’s trio of Baker Mayfield, RB Bucky Irving, and WR Mike Evans.

How Carolina Wins vs Tampa Bay

For the Carolina Panthers to win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB Bryce Young needs to put up big numbers, and the run game needs to remain strong.

Defensively, the Panthers must focus on stopping Tampa Bay’s passing attack led by quarterback Baker Mayfield; if they can hold the Bucs to under 200 passing yards, they’ll have a better chance of staying competitive. Forcing turnovers will also be crucial.

📈 Strength: Their rushing attack, led by Chubba Hubbard, was a bright spot on the roster last season, and the addition of rookie RB Trevor Etienne will only improve Carolina's run game. 

📉 Weakness: The Panthers' defense ranked last in the NFL last season. The unit has a lot to prove this coming season.

How Tampa Bay Wins vs Carolina

Tampa Bay has the upper hand in this matchup. If the Bucs come in with a healthy Mayfield and defense, Tampa Bay should get the win in Week 16. The Buccaneers are looking to win their fifth consecutive NFC South title, so late-seasons game will make for a more competitive Tampa Bay. 

If the offense can produce like it did last season and the defense remains healthy, Carolina will have a challenging time defeating Tampa Bay.

📈 Strength: Offensive production was in the top 10 of most categories in the NFL last season, and Tampa Bay retained most of its key players.

📉 Weakness: A healthy roster, especially defensively. Tampa Bay's defense suffered multiple injuries last season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Prop Bets

In any key divisional game, such as the one between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you can expect a close, highly contested game with many players making big plays to lead their team to victory.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Player Props

Since Carolina and Tampa Bay don't play each other until the end of the season, prop bets for the games are not out. Below is a selection of intriguing player prop bets I found across DraftKings and FanDuel North Carolina for Week 17's matchup last season:

🏈 Chuba Hubbard Anytime TD Scorer+125 (FanDuel)
🏈 Thielen Anytime TD/CAR ML Parlay+650 (FanDuel)
🏈 Rachaad White Rush Attempts18.5 (DraftKings)
🏈 Mike Evans O/U Rec. Yds.61.5 (DraftKings)
🏈 Baker Mayfield 1st TD Scorer+2800 (FanDuel)
Last Verified:August 28, 2025

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Team Props

🏈 TB to win by 7-12+390 (DraftKings)
🏈 CAR wins in shutout+3000 (DraftKings)
🏈 CAR wins both halves+700 (DraftKings)
🏈 Neither team gets to 10 pts.+3000 (DraftKings)
🏈 Exactly 4 Total TDs+280 (DraftKings)
Last Verified:August 28, 2025

⭐️ Note: Future North Carolina betting promo codes could boost odds like the ones above.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Futures Bets

🐾 Panthers Super Bowl Odds+12000 (0.8% chance)
🏴‍☠️ Bucs Super Bowl Odds+2800 (3.5% chance)
🐾  Panthers Odds to Make Playoffs+230 (30.3% chance)
🏴‍☠️ Bucs Odds to Make Playoffs-170 (62.9% chance)
🐾  Panthers Odds to Win NFC South+380 (20.8% chance)
🏴‍☠️ Bucs Odds to Win NFC South-110 (52.4% chance)
Last Verified:August 28, 2025

Where to Bet on Panthers vs Buccaneers

Mobile sports betting in North Carolina launched on March 11th, 2024. Now that sports betting is live in the state, don't forget to check the latest NC sportsbook promos before making your bets.

You can also bet at one of three retail sportsbooks located on tribal grounds in North Carolina.

Caesars operates at two Harrah's properties: Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino

The third location is Catawba Two Kings Casino.

How to Watch Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game

You can watch Panthers vs Bucs on your local FOX station starting at 1 p.m. ET. The game is available for free streaming on Fox Sports, as well as the NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL+ (with subscriptions).

  • 📅 Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
  • ⏰ Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • 📺 Broadcast: FOX
  • 📲 Streaming: Fox Sports, NFL+, NFL Sunday Ticket
  • ⛅️ Weather: TBD

The game takes place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

Carolina Panthers Coaches & Top Team Players

Head coach Dave Canalas returns for his second season with the Panthers. QB Bryce Young remains the most important player for the Panthers, as he represents the future of the franchise. As you can see from tracking Bryce Young odds this season, he's very, very unlikely to win MVP. Nonetheless, Panthers faithful are hoping to see the spark their No. 1 overall pick showed at the end of last season.

WR Adam Thielen and rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan are expected to boost the offense.

🏈 MORE: Bryce Young Passing TD Odds

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaches & Top Team Players

Todd Bowles is entering his fourth season as head coach and has a chance to win the NFC South for the fifth consecutive year. Under center, he's working with No. 1 pick-turned-journeyman QB Baker Mayfield, who led the team to a 10-7 record and the playoffs last season. 

They have arguably one of the best WRs in the NFL in Mike Evans, who recorded his 11th-straight 1,000-yard season, all of which have come with the Bucs. This offseason, Evans signed a two-year contract extension.

A History of the Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rivalry

The Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not become true division rivals until the 2002 season, when the NFC South division was formed. The Panthers came from the NFC West, while the Bucs moved from the NFC Central.

Before the realignment, they had only played three games against each other, but since then, they have played 49 total games. The Panthers hold a small lead in their history against each other, with a record of 25-24 all-time against the Buccaneers.

Top 5 Games Between Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers

The Bucs and Panthers have played 49 times in their history. These are my top 5 matchups of all time between these two rivals.

  • Sept. 14, 2003: CAR wins, 12-9 In a defensive battle, Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins blocked an extra point after time expired, forcing overtime. Carolina WR Steve Smith returned a punt 52 yards in OT, setting up a game-winning 47-yard field goal.
  • Jan. 3, 2016: CAR wins, 38-10 The Panthers' magical Super Bowl run ended its regular season with a 15-1 record, closing with a dominant victory over the Buccaneers in the final week of the season, 38-10. This would catapult them into Super Bowl 50, while Tampa Bay fires head coach Lovie Smith just a few days after this game.
  • Oct. 10, 2016: TB wins, 17-16 The Bucs snapped Carolina's six-game winning streak after ruining Panthers backup QB Derek Anderson's start, forcing two interceptions and one fumble. The game remained tied in the final minute. Bucs kicker Roberto Aguayo nailed the game-winning field goal as time expired.
  • Oct. 13, 2019: CAR wins, 37-26 The Panthers won the first international game in their history in London. Behind a steady game from QB Kyle Allen, two TDs from RB Christian McCaffrey, and five interceptions on Bucs QB Jameis Winston, the Panthers dominated from start to finish.
  • Jan. 2, 2023: TB wins, 30-24 This showdown ended up being a de facto playoff game, with the winner likely repping the NFC South in the playoffs. Despite beating them once already, the Panthers squandered a fourth-quarter lead. Tampa Bay won en route to a playoff berth, eliminating Carolina from contention.

Panthers vs Bucs Records

StatPanthersBucs
Super Bowl Wins02 (XXXVII, LV)
NFC Champ. Wins2 ('03, '15)2 ('02, '20)
NFC South Titles5 ('03, '08, '13-15)7 ('02, '05, '07, '21, '22, '23, '24)
Playoff Appearances715
MVPs1 (Cam Newton)0
HOF Players & Coaches611
Winningest CoachRon Rivera (.546)Jon Gruden (.509)
All-Time All Pro Selections8285
All-Time Pro Bowl Selections8099
All Time Reg. Season Win %.474.410
Years as NFL Team3049

Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game FAQs

Author

Brandon Justice

Brandon Justice is a Writer, Commercial Editor, and Fact Checker for BetCarolina.com. He's covered numerous sports betting perspectives for over six years, including everything from analysis & daily picks to reviews & guides. Additionally, he spent six seasons covering college football. The Carolina Panthers follow him on Twitter.

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