We have three more weeks in the2025 NFL season, and the NFC South race is knotted up, with Tampa Bay and Carolina tied atop the division at 7-7.
The ship is sinking in Tampa as the Bucs started 6-2, but have dropped five of the past six. The division title seemed like an afterthought heading into November, but there is a real shot this team may not be in the postseason.
Carolina wasn’t expected to be around the .500 mark this late in the season, especially after a 1-3 start. But the Panthers have upset the likes of the Packers and Rams as double-digit underdogs and are seeking their first winning record since 2017.
Both teams suffered close division losses in Week 15, as the Buccaneers dropped a back-and-forth affair with the struggling Falcons, 29-28, while the Panthers fell in the final seconds to the Saints, 20-17.
Let’s look at the Buccaneers vs. Panthers prediction and picks for Sunday’s showdown at Bank of America Stadium, kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
This is the first meeting between these teams in 2025, as they will hook up in Tampa in Week 18. The Buccaneers captured both matchups last season and are 9-1 in the past 10 since 2020.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers Over/Under, Spread
The Buccaneers enter this matchup as 2.5-point favorites, returning a 1.56x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Panthers are home underdogs with a 2.22x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5
- Over/Under: 45.5
- Game Winner Payout: Buccaneers 1.56x | Panthers 2.22x
(Team Picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change)
Buccaneers vs. Panthers Prediction on Over/Under
Here are some stats to know to get you set for Buccaneers vs. Panthers this afternoon, including insights on our Buccaneers vs. Panthers prediction.
- The Bucs failed to cover six consecutive games, the longest current streak in the league.
- The Panthers have won five straight off a loss, last dropping back-to-back contests in the first two weeks against Jacksonville and Arizona.
- Carolina owns a solid 7-4 against the spread mark in the underdog role, including four covers as a home dog.
- Tampa Bay edged Carolina in overtime, 26-23 as 6.5-point road favorites last December. The Bucs routed the Panthers, 48-14 in Week 17 on the way to their fourth straight division title.
- In two opportunities as a road favorite, the Buccaneers won and covered against the Falcons in Week 1 and the Saints in Week 8. Tampa Bay scored exactly 23 points in each of those division victories.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers Prediction, Picks
Here are three top Buccaneers vs. Panthers picks to target on Sunday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by three players: Tampa Bay QB Joe Baker Mayfield, Carolina RB Rico Dowdle, and Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield vs. Panthers Projection: 230.5 Passing Yards
- Mayfield is on the verge of 3,000 passing yards for the seventh time in his career, sitting at 2,999.
- The top pick of the 2018 draft failed to produce at least 200 passing yards in four consecutive games before throwing for 277 yards against Atlanta.
- In six of seven road outings, the former Oklahoma star hasn’t compiled more than 228 passing yards.
- Mayfield ranks 20th in adjusted EPA/play among QBs, a precipitous dip from fifth last season.
Panthers RB Rico Dowdle vs. Buccaneers Projection: 59.5 Rushing Yards
- Dowdle seeks his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season after compiling 1,079 yards in Dallas.
- The former South Carolina standout sits on 978 yards, but hasn’t eclipsed 60 rushing yards in five consecutive games.
- The ex-Cowboy's two gigantic performances came in October, when he racked up 206 yards against the Dolphins and 183 yards against Dallas in back-to-back weeks.
- Since that pair of explosive outings, Dowdle is averaging 63.2 yards in the last nine games.
- The Buccaneers allowed a running back to post at least 60 rushing yards in each of their last three.
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka vs. Panthers Projection: 42.5 Receiving Yards
- In his rookie season, Egbuka is tied for ninth in targets at 117 alongside Vikings Pro Bowl WR Justin Jefferson.
- The former Ohio State star jumped out to a terrific start, averaging 89 yards during Tampa Bay’s 4-1 start.
- Since racking up 115 receiving yards against New England in Week 10, the 19th pick of April’s draft has compiled 193 yards in the last five games.
- The Panthers have given up at least 50 receiving yards to two different players in each of the past three games.
Make Picks on NFL on PrizePicks
The winner of Sunday’s matchup in Charlotte owns the upper-hand for the NFC South title. Will it be Tampa Bay, or will Carolina come through at Bank of America Stadium?
There’s never been a better time to add to the excitement of every NFL moment than with PrizePicks.
There is a wide variety of player stat projections on the NFL board, so you can build your Lineup however you’d like — with no salary or positional restrictions. Just pick at least two player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks.
Check out the Playbook throughout the season for more NFL picks, predictions, and news every day.
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