Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction, 1/3/2026 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026

Location: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL

TV: ABC

Odds-Point Spread: Buccaneers (-3)

Total-Over-Under: 43.5

The Carolina Panthers (8-8) are hitting the road to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday where they will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9). Tampa Bay opens this contest as 3-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The total comes in at 43.5.

The Carolina Panthers step onto the field holding a record of 8-8 on the year. In their last contest, the Panthers faced the Seattle Seahawks and took a loss by a final of 27-10. Rico Dowdle was the rushing leader for the Panthers with 12 totes for 59 yds (4.9 yards per attempt). Rico Dowdle averaged 1.3 yards per reception by accumulating 4 yards on 3 receptions. Bryce Young connected on 14-24 with 54 yds passing. He had a quarterback rating of 45.8 and finished the contest with 1 pick. When it came to the battle of the line of scrimmage, the Panthers conceded 163 yds on 36 tries, which averages out to 4.5 yds per rush allowed. Carolina gave up 18 completions on 27 attempts for a total of 125 yards, and a completion rate of 66.7%. For the game, they ran 50 plays for 139 yds. The Carolina Panthers ended up rushing 26 times and accounted for 99 yds, earning them an average of 3.8 yards per tote.

The Panthers have collected 4,740 yards on the campaign. Carolina has tallied 157 first downs, and they have been hurt by 90 infractions for 716 yds. When examining putting points on the board, Carolina has notched 22 passing touchdowns and 9 running touchdowns. They have surrendered the ball 20 different times (11 INTs and 9 lost fumbles). Offensively, they have an average of 122.4 rush yds which ranks 11th in pro football. With reference to scoring points, the Carolina Panthers hold an average of 18.6 PPG.

When examining passing yds, the Panthers have allowed 3,269 yards, which has them ranking 14th in pro football. They have allowed 204.3 yards per contest by way of the pass, and are granting a completion rate of 66.0%. On the whole, they have conceded 1,956 rushing yards through 16 contests over the course of this year. They have allowed 19 touchdowns by way of the pass, along with 20 touchdowns on the ground. All in all, they are relinquishing 326.6 total yards per outing, putting them 15th in pro football. They are allowing 4.5 yards per running attempt and 122.3 running yards per outing over the course of this season. The Panthers rank 17th in pro football regarding the opposition scoring, granting 22.8 points per outing.

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The Buccaneers step on the gridiron with a record of 7-9 so far this year. The last time they stepped on the gridiron, the Buccaneers walked away with a loss by a score of 20-17 when they faced the Miami Dolphins. Baker Mayfield (2 touchdowns) walked away from the game with 346 yds on 33-44 through the air while his quarterback rating was 93.6. He tossed 2 interceptions and his avg yards per attempt was 7.9 yds. Bucky Irving ran the ball 9 times for 19 yards, ending the contest with 2.1 yards per carry for Tampa Bay. Chris Godwin was the best receiver for the Buccaneers, bringing in 7 balls for 108 yards (15.4 yds per catch). Tampa Bay rushed for 3.3 yards per carry, finishing the game with 53 yards on 16 carries. The Buccaneers finished the game with 380 yds on 60 plays (6.3 yards per play). The Buccaneers pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 63.6%, relinquishing 153 yards on 14 for 22 passing. Tampa Bay conceded 30 run attempts for 145 yards (4.8 yards per carry).

When examining the points being put on the board, the Buccaneers currently rank 18th in professional football, holding an average of 22.8 PPG. On the year, the Buccaneers have compiled 3,302 pass yards and are sitting at 206.4 pass yards per contest, giving them a rank of 20th in pro football. They average 112.9 rush yds per outing, and have run for 1,807 yards. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an average of 319.3 total yards per outing, putting them 22nd in pro football. The Tampa Bay offense has granted 692 yds on 89 penalties, which ranks 29th in professional football concerning making mistakes. They have tossed 10 INTs while yielding 5 lost fumbles, and have tallied 162 first downs as an offense.

They have conceded 28 touchdowns through the air and 236.4 yards via the pass per outing, putting them 26th in pro football. Tampa Bay has conceded a total of 1,665 running yards (104.1 total yards per outing), and 16 touchdowns on the ground over the course of this season. The defense has notched 20 takeaways (8 fumbles forced and 12 interceptions) on the year. Overall, they have allowed 397 points in total. The Buccaneers defense has been on the field for 952 plays from scrimmage, ranking this team at 9th in football. The Buccaneers are conceding 24.8 points per outing, ranking this team at 23rd in football.

Who will win tonight's Panthers-Buccaneers NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Buccaneers -3

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