Week 18 Saturday Football: Where and How to Watch Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Live Stream, and Broadcast Details

The Carolina Panthers (8-9) must really want a maiden playoff appearance since 2017, because the whole universe is really conspiring for them to win the NFC South. The Panthers face divisional rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), in the final game of the season, with a win or even a result from another game could earn them a ticket to a playoff berth.

The Bucs started the season on a roll, finishing 6-3 before heading into the bye week. Since the bye week, they have won just once against the Arizona Cardinals. They have lost six of the seven games, crashing from 6-3 to a paltry 7-9. Meanwhile, the Panthers have been a mixed bag throughout the season. They started with two back-to-back losses and held a three-game winning streak at one point.

The Panthers have an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in eight years and end the ten-year NFC South-divisional drought if they defeat the Bucs on Sunday. They can still claim a berth if they lose. The Panthers and the Bucs will tie at 8-9 if the latter win. The Atlanta Falcons can force a three-way tie if they manage to defeat the New Orleans Saints and the Panthers have that tiebreaker.

Earlier this season, when the Panthers and the Bucs met, the Panthers defeated the Bucs 23-20. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw 21-of-35 for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. Safety Lathan Ransom forced an interception off opponent’s quarterback, Baker Mayfield. The two teams’ were meeting for the 50th time in history.

When and what time is the Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game?

• Game: Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET.
• Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, January 3, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Where to watch the Week 18 NFC South decider game between the Panthers and the Buccaneers?

• Game: Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
• Where to Watch: ABC/ESPN
• Announcers: Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick, Katie George, and Peter Schrager

What are the livestreaming options for the Panthers and the Buccaneers?

The Week 18 Sunday NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers can be viewed on NFL+, DAZN, Peacock, and FUBO TV.

NFL Odds, Betting Lines for the Week 18 NFC South Decider game

• Spread: -3 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• Moneyline: Carolina Panthers +124, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -146
• Total: 44.5

Predicted Lineups for Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young, Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne, Jalen Coker, Tommy Tremble, Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan, Mitchell Evans, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tre’von Moehrig, Christian Rozeboom, Corey Thornton, Jaycee Horn, Claudin Cherelus, Nick Scott, Mike Jackson, Princely Umanmielen, and Tershawn Wharton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, Cade Otton, Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson, Tez Johnson, Deion Jones, Jamel Dean, Christian Izien, Elijah Roberts, Yaya Diaby, Lavonte David, Vita Vea, Haason Reddick, SirVocea Dennis, Tykee Smith, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Jacob Parrish

Why would the Carolina Panthers win?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be the reason why the Carolina Panthers have the last laugh on Sunday. The Bucs offense have been brutally ravaged by opposing defenses in the past few weeks and the pattern’s all the same.

The Bucs aren’t able to come clutch in the last moments and orchestrate game-winning drives. Baker Mayfield has been terrible towards the latter half of the season with costly turnovers being a staple of the Bucs games.

Despite a weak offensive production, the Panthers’ defense came through against a pressing Seattle Seahawks offense last week. It could be the key to limiting the Bucs’ plans, if they finally find an offensive rhythm that is.

Why would the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been looking at the wrong end of the offensive play for some weeks now. They have been utilising Bucky Irving to run the ball. However, they do have a healthy set of receivers in the roster who have proved that they could come clutch in big games like the Panthers’ one on Sunday.

The Buccaneers employ the services of Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. Evans recently broke into the 13,000 receiving yards club.

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