Panthers at Buccaneers odds, picks and predictions

Jan. 3, 2026, 10:51 a.m. ET

The Carolina Panthers (8-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) meet Saturday for a Week 18 game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC / ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Panthers vs. Buccaneers odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.

Saturday is a massive game in Central Florida, as Carolina can win the NFC South with a victory while Tampa Bay can also win the division with a victory (but would need the Atlanta Falcons to fall at home to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, as well).

Tampa Bay has won the NFC South in each of the past 4 seasons and it is looking to become the first NFC team to win 5 straight division titles since the Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East in 5 years in a row from 1992 through 1996.

The Panthers won the most recent meeting between these teams, 23-20 at home in Week 16 against the Buccaneers. Carolina was a 3-point underdog in that one as the Under (45) cashed. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield threw for 145 yards, a TD and an INT while running for 49 yards. RB Bucky Irving rushed for 71 yards and WR Mike Evans had the only receiving score. For Carolina, QB Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and 2 TDs as rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan went for 6 receptions, 73 yards and a TD.

Tampa Bay has lost 4 in a row, including 3 losses inside the division, and is 0-8 against the spread (ATS) since the start of November. The Under has cashed in 4 of the Bucs’ past 6 outings.

Carolina lost 27-10 to Seattle last Sunday as a 6.5-point home underdog while the Under (43) cashed. The Panthers have alternated losses and wins in each of their past 10 games, alternating covering ATS in each of those games. The Under is 3-0 in their past 3 outings and 6-2 across their past 8 contests.

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Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:40 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Panthers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Buccaneers -150 (bet $150 to win $100)Against the spread: Panthers +3 (-120) | Buccaneers -3 (+100)Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Best prop betsPanthers at Buccaneers key injuries

Panthers

LB Krys Barnes (back) questionableLB Claudin Cherelus (calf, ankle) outOG Robert Hunt (biceps) outWR David Moore (elbow) outCB Robert Rochell (concussion) outDT Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) questionable

Buccaneers

CB Jamel Dean (shoulder) outDT Calijah Kancey (pectoral) questionableLB Anthony Nelson (knee) out

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SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Best prop betsPanthers at Buccaneers picks and predictionsPrediction

Buccaneers 22, Panthers 16

The BUCCANEERS (-150) do not give bettors a ton of confidence, as they’ve gone from 6-2 SU after Week 8 to 1-7 SU since to put their division and playoff hopes in serious peril.

The Panthers added to the woes of the Buccaneers with the 23-20 win two weeks ago. The key is venue, and having this game at the RayJay is advantage Bucs.

The BUCCANEERS -3 (+100) are the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most. Tampa Bay hasn’t covered since a 23-3 win in New Orleans in Week 8, failing to cover 8 in a row. Still, the Bucs might be healthier than they’ve been in months. At home, look for Tampa Bay to at least extend its season to Sunday, before becoming the biggest fans of rival New Orleans.

UNDER 43.5 (-105) might be the best play in this play in this NFC South showdown.

The Under has hit in the past 2 games for Tampa, including the 23-20 loss in Carolina in Week 16, and is 4-2 in the past 6 games for the Bucs.

For the Panthers, the Under has cashed in 3 in a row as Carolina scored an average of 16.7 PPG while allowing an average of 22.3 in that span. The Under is also 6-2 in the Panthers’ past 8 outings.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Panthers at Buccaneers odds, picks and predictions

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