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Week 18 is upon us, and the NFC South remains undecided. Both the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to win the division title, and they happen to play each other in Week 18.
The Panthers will go on the road to take on the Buccaneers in a rematch of their Week 16 divisional game. Carolina won that matchup 23-20, but it was at home. The rematch will be on Tampa Bay’s turf.Â
This game will go a long way in determining who wins the NFC South and earns the No. 4 seed for the NFC’s playoff picture. If Carolina wins the game, it is in the playoffs. If Tampa Bay wins, all eyes turn to the Atlanta Falcons–New Orleans Saints game on Sunday. If Atlanta wins that matchup, Carolina would automatically win the NFC South due to tiebreakers, regardless of the result of their Saturday game.
If the Saints beat the Falcons, and the Buccaneers beat the Panthers, Tampa Bay would win the NFC South and make the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, despite an 8-9 record.Â
The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights as the Buccaneers take on the Panthers in Week 18.Â
WATCH: Buccaneers vs. Panthers LIVE with Fubo (free trial)
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Panthers vs. Buccaneers live updates, highlights from NFL Week 18 game
All times ET. This section will be updated closer to kickoff.
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Where to watch Panthers vs. BuccaneersPanthers vs. Buccaneers start timeDate: Sunday, January 4Start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Buccaneers and Panthers will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4. The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.Â
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order heading into Week 18
What channel is Panthers vs. Buccaneers on today?TV channel: ESPN, ABCLive stream: ESPN App, Fubo
Saturday afternoon’s game between the Buccaneers and the Panthers will air nationally on ESPN and ABC. It will be the first of two games on Saturday before heading into the final day of the regular season on Sunday.
ESPN and ABC will be going with a three-man booth for this game with Chris Fowler serving as the play-by-play analyst, and Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick being color commentators. Katie George and Peter Schrager will be the sideline reporters.Â
The game can be streamed can do so with the ESPN app and Fubo, with the latter carrying ESPN and ABC in its channel lineup while also offering a free trial.Â
MORE WEEK 18 NFL:
Here is a look at the schedule for the final week of the 2025 regular season.
Saturday, Jan. 3 GameTime (ET)BroadcastPanthers vs. Buccaneers4:30 p.m.ABC, ESPNSeahawks vs. 49ers8 p.m.ABC, ESPNSunday, Jan. 4GameTime (ET)BroadcastSaints vs. Falcons1 p.m.FoxBrowns vs. Bengals1 p.m.CBSPackers vs. Vikings1 p.m.CBSCowboys vs. Giants1 p.m.FoxTitans vs. Jaguars1 p.m.FoxColts vs. Texans1 p.m.CBSJets vs. Bills4:25 p.m.CBSLions vs. Bears4:25 p.m.FoxChargers vs. Broncos4:25 p.m.CBSChiefs vs. Raiders4:25 p.m.CBSCardinals vs. Rams4:25 p.m.FoxDolphins vs. Patriots4:25 p.m.FoxCommanders vs. Eagles4:25 p.m.CBSRavens vs. Steelers8:20 p.m.NBCRelated Links