The Carolina Panthers (8-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) will face off to crown the NFC South champion on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN, determining the NFC’s final playoff team in the process.
The division champ will be firmly entrenched as the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoff picture, thus hosting a wild-card team in the opening round of the postseason.
Below, we’ll break down our Panthers vs. Buccaneers prediction and picks for Saturday's Week 18 showdown. Use PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to keep track of player projections or earn money by making picks on spreads, over/unders, and game winners.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
It’s been no secret that the Bucs have struggled in the second half of the season. Tampa Bay has lost seven of its last eight games and is riding a four-game losing streak.
Issues on the offensive side of the football are a culprit. The Bucs rank 22nd in yards per game (319.3) and 18th in points per game (22.8). They've mustered just 21.3 PPG during their losing streak, including just 17 in a loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.
The Panthers' defense may pose a significant challenge for QB Baker Mayfield and company. Carolina ranks seventh in INTs (14) and has forced three turnovers in the past two games. Starting DT Tershawn Wharton (hamstring) is listed as questionable, but otherwise, the Panthers are relatively healthy on defense.
Offensively, Carolina has relied upon its ground attack to grind out victories. Behind talented RBs Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, the Panthers rack up 122.4 rushing yards per game, 11th in the NFL. With that said, since tallying 130 yards and 2 TDs vs. the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 2, Dowdle hasn’t topped the 60-yard mark and has found the end zone just twice.
It could be another uphill battle on the ground yet again in Week 18. The Bucs allow 104.1 rushing yards per game (seventh) and held Dowdle and Hubbard to 56 rushing yards on 15 carries in Week 16.
Could that put more pressure on Panthers QB Bryce Young to do damage through the air? As a team, Carolina averages a measly 173.9 passing yards per game, 26th in the league. If the Bucs can force Young to beat them with his arm, it might go a long way towards deciding Saturday’s pivotal contest.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Over/Under, Spread
With a home-field advantage, the Bucs are 2.5-point favorites, returning a 1.61x payout with a cover on PrizePicks Team Picks.
The Panthers are underdogs with a 2.17x payout if they win outright.
- Spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2.5
- Over/Under: 44.5
- Game Winner Payout: Panthers 2.17x | Buccaneers 1.61x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to keep in mind to get you prepared for Panthers vs. Bucs today.
- Carolina did cover the spread in the Dec. 21 meeting vs. Tampa Bay (23-20).
- The Bucs are 3-4 against the spread at home.
- The Panthers are 4-5 ATS on the road.
- Tampa Bay has covered in just one of its last 10 games.
- The Bucs are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 meetings vs. the Panthers.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers Picks, Stats for Saturday Week 18
Here are some of the top Panthers vs. Bucs player projections on PrizePicks for Saturday’s contest.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin vs. Panthers Projection: 34.5 Receiving Yards
- Since returning from injury in late November, Godwin is averaging 4.3 receptions and 50.0 receiving yards per game.
- In Week 17, he logged 79% of the offensive snaps, the highest of any Tampa Bay WR.
- Godwin has tallied at least 55 receiving yards in three of his last five games.
- The Bucs' veteran WR is averaging 5.2 receptions and 71.3 receiving yards in 12 career games vs. the Panthers.
Panthers QB Bryce Young vs. Bucs Projection: 200.5 Passing Yards
- The former No. 1 overall pick completed 21 of 32 passes for 191 yards and 2 TDs vs. the Bucs in Week 16.
- Young averages just 183.0 passing yards per game this season.
- The Panthers' franchise QB has topped the 200-yard mark in three games in 2025.
- The Bucs yield 236.4 yards through the air per game (26th).
Make Panthers vs. Buccaneers Picks on PrizePicks
The Bucs and Panthers will have their playoff fates decided in Saturday’s winner-take-all battle for the NFC South crown. With a playoff berth on the line, this figures to make for a very intriguing matchup.
On Saturday, you can make your picks on PrizePicks and earn real money. Just pick your players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if your picks are correct. Or, make your picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
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