Panthers vs Buccaneers Odds: Who Is Favored To Win?
The Panthers take on the Bucs in Week 18 on January 3. Odds have the Panthers as 3‑point underdogs at DraftKings North Carolina. These numbers could shift right before kickoff.
| 🏈 Point Spread | +3 |
| 📈 Moneyline | +130 (43.5% chance) |
| 📊 Total | O/U 43.5 (-115/-105) |
| ✅ Last Verified: | January 14, 2026 |
Panthers vs Buccaneers Spread: What The Spread Tells Us
The spread for the game currently lists the Buccaneers as 3‑point favorites. 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 -155 odds, which translates to 60.8% implied probability that they'll win. The Panthers' moneyline odds of +130 give them an implied probability of 43.5%. Depending on injuries and weather conditions, those factors could swing the line significantly by the time the game kicks off.
Carolina Panthers Chances To Win vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina heads into Week 18 as the underdog on the road, but the Panthers still have a decent chance to pull out a win. They’ve already shown they can beat Tampa Bay, edging the Buccaneers 23–20 at home in Week 16. With the division on the line, expect a tight, high-pressure divisional matchup where Carolina has a legitimate shot at another upset.
How Carolina Wins vs Tampa Bay
Carolina’s path to a road win and an NFC South title for the first time since 2017 starts with defensive urgency. The Panthers must disrupt Baker Mayfield, forcing hurried throws and taking advantage of Tampa Bay’s red-zone inefficiency and turnover tendencies. On offense, quick execution will be critical. Bryce Young needs to push the ball downfield early to receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker to stretch the defense and build momentum. Carolina should also lean on Rico Dowdle and its elite run game to stay balanced.
📈 Strength: Rico Dowdle and the Run Game
Carolina features a top-12 rushing offense, averaging 125.6 yards per game.
📉 Weakness: Bryce Young’s Passing Game
Bryce Young has struggled with consistency this season, passing for more than 206 yards just twice in 15 games.
How Tampa Bay Wins vs Carolina
Tampa Bay’s path to a home victory starts with execution from its core playmakers. Baker Mayfield must lead the offense and create opportunities for Mike Evans and Bucky Irving to make explosive plays. Playing at home gives the Buccaneers a chance to feed off the crowd and capitalize on Carolina’s offensive inconsistencies. On defense, slowing Rico Dowdle and limiting the run game will be critical, along with consistently keeping Bryce Young contained.
📈 Strength: Run Game
The Bucs racked up 120 rushing yards in their previous meeting with Carolina. Bucky Irving and Rachaad White are expected to attack a Panthers run defense that allows over 4.6 yards per carry.
📉 Weakness: Late-game collapses
The Bucs got off to a 6-2 start but have since lost seven of their last eight games, including four straight heading into Week 18.
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 and competitive game with many players making big plays to lead their team to victory.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Player Props
Below is a selection of intriguing player prop bets I found across DraftKings and FanDuel North Carolina for Week 18's matchup:
| 🏈 Rico Dowdle Anytime TD Scorer | +130 (DraftKings) |
| 🚀 Baker Mayfield 225+ Pass Yds | +100 (FanDuel) |
| 🎯 Tetairoa McMillan 80+ Rec Yds. | +195 (DraftKings) |
| 🚀 Bryce Young 2+ Passing TDs | +112 (FanDuel) |
| 🏈 Mike Evans Anytime TD Scorer | +160 (FanDuel) |
| ✅ Last Verified: | January 14, 2026 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers Team Props
| 🏈 TB Team TDs: O/U 2.5 | -120, -110 (DraftKings) |
| 🏈 CAR Team TDs: O/U 2.5 | +130, -166 (DraftKings) |
| ⭐ CAR wins in shutout | +3000 (DraftKings) |
| ❌ TB wins in shutout | +2500 (DraftKings) |
| ✅ Last Verified: | January 14, 2026 |
⭐️ 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 | +15000 (0.7% chance) |
| 🐾 Panthers Odds to Win NFC | +4500 (2.2% chance) |
| 🏴☠️ Bucs Odds to Win NFC | +7000 (1.4% chance) |
| 🐾 Panthers Odds to Win NFC South | -400 (80.0% chance) |
| 🏴☠️ Bucs Odds to Win NFC South | +310 (24.4% chance) |
| ✅ Last Verified: | January 14, 2026 |
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
Fans looking to catch the Panthers’ Week 18 matchup against the Buccaneers on January 3, 2026 have several viewing options. The game will air on ESPN and ABC, with streaming available on platforms such as Fubo, DirecTV, Peacock, Paramount+ Premium, ESPN+, and NFL+.
- 📅 Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
- ⏰ Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- 📺 Broadcast: ESPN/ABC
- 📲 Streaming: Fubo, DirecTV, Peacock, Paramount+ Premium, ESPN+, NFL+
- ⛅️ Weather: Partly cloudy with a high of 75.
The game takes place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Carolina Panthers Coaches & Top Team Players
Head coach Dave Canales returns for his second season with the Panthers, with Bryce Young remaining the most important piece of the franchise. As the former No. 1 overall pick, Young represents Carolina’s long-term future under center. Based on tracking Bryce Young odds this season, he was a long shot to win MVP, but Panthers fans are focused on something else, seeing the growth and confidence he showed late last year carry over into a potential playoff push.
The offense has received a boost from rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who has quickly emerged as a playmaking threat, while Rico Dowdle has helped steady the unit with a productive presence in the run game.
🏈 MORE: Bryce Young Passing TD Odds
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaches & Top Team Players
Todd Bowles is in his fourth season as head coach and has a chance to lead Tampa Bay to its fifth straight NFC South title. Under center, the Buccaneers are led by Baker Mayfield, the former No. 1 overall pick who revitalized his career last season by guiding the team to a 10–7 record and a playoff berth.
Tampa Bay also features one of the league’s most consistent wide receivers in Mike Evans, who posted his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season, all with the Buccaneers. The offense added another dynamic element by drafting Emeka Egbuka, who currently owns the fifth-shortest odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, behind the Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan, who has the shortest odds.
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 50 total games. The Panthers hold a small lead in their history against each other, with a record of 26-24 all-time against the Buccaneers.
Top 5 Games Between Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
The Bucs and Panthers have played 50 times in their history. These are my top five matchups of all time between these two rivals.
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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
| Stat | Panthers | Bucs |
|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl Wins | 0 | 2 (XXXVII, LV) |
| NFC Champ. Wins | 2 ('03, '15) | 2 ('02, '20) |
| NFC South Titles | 5 ('03, '08, '13-15) | 7 ('02, '05, '07, '21, '22, '23, '24) |
| Playoff Appearances | 7 | 15 |
| MVPs | 1 (Cam Newton) | 0 |
| HOF Players & Coaches | 6 | 11 |
| Winningest Coach | Ron Rivera (.546) | Jon Gruden (.509) |
| All-Time All Pro Selections | 82 | 85 |
| All-Time Pro Bowl Selections | 80 | 99 |
| All Time Reg. Season Win % | .474 | .410 |
| Years as NFL Team | 30 | 49 |
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game FAQs
Yes, the Panthers have beaten the Buccaneers in football. The Panthers are 26-24 all-time against the Bucs, 14-11 at home, and 12-11 on the road. Their most recent win against Tampa Bay came in December of 2025.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are favored to win in Week 18. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-point favorites to beat the Carolina Panthers, according to the latest DraftKings Sportsbook North Carolina odds. The Bucs have -155 on the moneyline.
The Carolina Panthers' odds are listed at +130 on the moneyline at DraftKings Sportsbook in North Carolina. Those odds translate to an implied probability of a 43.5% chance of the Panthers winning the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
The Carolina Panthers' head coach is Dave Canales. Canales was hired by the Panthers on January 25, 2024. He is the team's seventh head coach in franchise history. Known for his offensive background and quarterback development, Canales is tasked with guiding Bryce Young’s growth and steering the Panthers back into playoff contention.
The Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game is scheduled for December 1, 2025. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, a home game for the Panthers.
The Buccaneers-Panthers Week 18 matchup will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC. The game is also available to stream on platforms such as Fubo, DirecTV, Peacock, Paramount+ Premium, ESPN+, and NFL+. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on January 3, 2025.
Tickets for the Week 18 divisional showdown between the Panthers and Buccaneers are in high demand and come at a wide range of prices. Average ticket prices range from $190 to $400 across various platforms. The game takes place in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Author
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.
