If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
The NFC South will be decided, mostly, as Week 18 opens on Saturday, Jan. 3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
This NFL game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes. Fans looking to watch can do so for free by using DIRECTV, which offers a free trial, or FuboTV, which also offers a free trial as well as up to $30 off your first month. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available for streaming the game, and NFL+ airs all local market games, and NFL+ Premium allows fans to watch NFL RedZone, condensed game replays and all-22 coaches film. You can stream ESPN Unlimited on your phone, tablet, smart TV or gaming console, and bundle your plan with NFL+ Premium or with NFL+ Premium, Disney+ and Hulu. Additionally, those with DIRECTV, FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV can access ESPN Unlimited through their package.
Streaming ServiceStarting Monthly PriceFree TrialFree Trial LengthMax DiscountDIRECTV$89.99Yes5 days$40 off first monthFuboTV$55.99Yes5 days$30 off first monthSling TV$45.99NoN/A$30 off first monthESPN$12.99NoN/AN/ANFL+$6.99NoN/AN/A
Not only is this game for a division title, it’s also a battle of the 2018 No. 1 pick, Baker Mayfield, and the 2023 No. 1 pick, Bryce Young.
With a win, the Panthers clinch their first NFC South title since 2015, when they went 15-1 and reached Super Bowl 50. On the other hand, with a win, the Buccaneers pull even with Carolina at 8-9, and put the waiting game in motion.
The Panthers are 8-8 entering this matchup and lock up the division and the No. 4 seed with a win or a tie, while 7-9 Tampa Bay would still need help if it won. The Buccaneers would win a head-to-head tiebreaker scenario with Carolina, but in a three-way tie with the Atlanta Falcons, the Panthers win the NFC South. The Falcons are hosting the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST.
Who: Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When: Saturday, Jan. 3 at 4:30 p.m. EST
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Stream: DIRECTV (free trial); FuboTV (free trial); SlingTV; ESPN; NFL+
Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.