Updated Jan. 3, 2026, 7:41 p.m. ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed a win in Week 17 to have any hope of their playoff chances expanding past Saturday. They secured a win, but now they have to root for the Falcons to defeat the Saints on Sunday in order to win the NFC South.

Turning our attention back to the Bucs and the Panthers, they won a sloppy game in typhoon-like weather that plagued the first half. Ironically, they played better and executed in the first half, with the weather being bad, rather than in the second half when it cleared up. The offense and defense both executed well in the first half, controlling time of possession and forcing stops on the Panthers’ drives as they made plays.

It all boiled down to a few critical plays in a quiet second half, as for the first time in nearly two months, the Bucs looked like they deserved to win the division. With that, here is our live blog of the recap of the Bucs’ win in Week 18.

The Bucs defense stands tall, win season finale

The Bucs defense held the Panthers for most of the second half, and the punter Riley Dixon waited till the finale to have his best punt of the season, which gave the Panthers no chance of making a game-winning drive. With that, the Bucs survive and beat the Panthers by a score of 16-14.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! Bryce Young charges down the field to find the endzone for Carolina

Bryce Young and the Panthers’ offense charged down the field, even converting a fourth and long to extend their drive, before finding the endzone. The Panthers connected on an 8-yard pass to Jalen Coker, and the score is now 16-14 in favor of the Bucs with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter, with both teams having all of their timeouts.

Bucs make it a two-score game

The Bucs offense stalled once again, but they still got points on the board. Chase McLaughlin kicked it through the uprights from 49 yards out to make it 16-7 with 14:12 left in the fourth quarter.

Quiet third quarter for both teams

Neither team can get momentum over the other as the score remains 13-7 heading into the fourth quarter. The Panthers and Bucs have both been on the receiving end of chunk plays and questionable flags. In the fourth quarter, something will have to give as the NFC South hangs in the balance.

Bucs add on to their lead before the half

The Bucs offense was conservative to close the half as they ran the ball several times as the half closed. Fans were not happy with it, but Chase McLaughlin punched it through the uprights from 36 yards out to give them a 13-7 lead at halftime.

Jacob Parrish gets his second career interception

The rookie out of Kansas State made a play when the Bucs needed it. The Panthers had started to get momentum, but Jacob Parrish made a play, breaking on the ball to make a catch while falling out of bounds. The Bucs now take over close to the Panthers’ territory with hopes to get points out of the turnover.

Panthers capitalize on Bucs mistake

The Bucs threw an interception, and it set the Panthers up deep in their own territory. Bryce Young capitalized on it with a well-designed play, and they found Tommy Tremble in the endzone from eight yards out to make the score 10-7 with 10:50 left in the second quarter.

Baker Mayfield makes a critical mistake with an interception

The Bucs offense was slowing down as the rain picked up in Tampa Bay, but it was still moving. However, Baker Mayfield threw it across the middle and missed his target, and found the Panthers in their zone coverage. They now take over deep in Bucs territory.

Chase McLaughlin adds to the Bucs’ lead

Bucs drive stalls, still get points on the board, but their drive stalls in the redzone. Chase McLaughlin kicks it through from 29 yards out to make it 10-0 in favor of Tampa Bay.

Bucs strike first with a big drive

In the torrential downpour, the Bucs’ offense was humming on their opening drive, and as a result, Tampa Bay is up 7-0. The score came from an 18-yard pass from Baker Mayfield that hit Cade Otton in stride and in the numbers. Early on, things are looking good for Tampa Bay as they fight for a playoff spot.

Bucs regular-season schedule 2025

Below is Tampa Bay’s regular-season schedule.

Week 1: W, 30-27 over the Atlanta Falcons (1-0)Week 2: W, 20-19 over the Houston Texans (2-0)Week 3: W, 29-27 over the New York Jets (3-0)Week 4: L, 31-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)Week 5: W, 38-35 over the Seattle Seahawks (4-1)Week 6: W, 30-19 over the San Francisco 49ers (5-1)Week 7: L, 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions (5-2)Week 8: W, 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints (6-2)Week 9: BYE WeekWeek 10: L, 28-23 loss to the New England Patriots (6-3)Week 11: L, 44-32 loss to the Buffalo Bills (6-4)Week 12: L, 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (6-5)Week 13: W, 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals (7-5)Week 14: L, 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints (7-6)Week 15: L, 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons (7-7)Week 16: L, 23-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers (7-8)Week 17: L, 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins (7-9)Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 4, Carolina Panthers