Buccaneers vs. Panthers 2025 Prediction, Odds, Picks - Jan 3

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) are the favorites, expected to win by at least a field goal but less than a touchdown (currently -3) over the Carolina Panthers (8-8), despite the Buccaneers having dropped four games in a row. The predicted point total for the game is 44.5.

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Buccaneers vs. Panthers Odds & Betting Lines

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Buccaneers vs. Panthers Prediction & Pick

• Pick ATS: Buccaneers (-3)
  
• Pick OU: Under (44.5)
  
• Prediction: Buccaneers 24 - Panthers 20

How to Watch Tampa Bay vs. Carolina

• Game date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: Raymond James Stadium
• Location: Tampa, Florida
• TV: ABC/ESPN
• Live Boxscore: FOX Sports

Buccaneers vs. Panthers Recent Matchups

• In their past five head-to-head bouts, Tampa Bay has defeated Carolina four times.
• Over their last five head-to-head contests, Tampa Bay has scored 124 points, while Carolina has compiled 78.

Tampa Bay Betting Info

• Tampa Bay has five wins in 16 games versus the spread this season.
• The Buccaneers have covered the spread twice when favored by 3 points or more this season (in eight opportunities).
• Tampa Bay games this year have gone over the total in eight out of 16 opportunities (50%).
• When playing as moneyline favorites, the Buccaneers are 5-5, winning 50% of the time.
• The implied probability in this matchup, considering the moneyline, gives the Buccaneers a 60.8% chance to win.

Buccaneers Stats

Tampa Bay's Key Players

Offense

• Baker Mayfield has passed for 3,490 yards, 25 touchdowns (seventh in the NFL) and 10 interceptions this year. He is averaging 218.1 yards per game and 6.7 per attempt, while completing 62.8% of his attempts.
• He has also rushed for 351 yards (third on the Buccaneers) and added one touchdown on the ground, while averaging 21.9 rushing yards per game.
• Emeka Egbuka's 930 receiving yards this season have come from 124 targets and 62 receptions. He's averaging 58.1 receiving yards and 3.9 catches per game, with six receiving touchdowns.
• Rachaad White has 549 rushing yards with four touchdowns (34.3 yards per game through 16 games).
• White has 38 receptions on 43 targets for 200 yards, though he has yet to score a touchdown in the passing game.
• Bucky Irving has rushed for 503 yards, averaging 55.9 yards per game and scoring one touchdown.
• Irving's 33 receiving targets have resulted in 29 receptions (3.2 per game) for 264 yards (29.3 per game) and three TDs.

Defense

• On the defensive side, Lavonte David has 3.5 sacks (third on the Buccaneers) to go with 8.0 TFL, 109 tackles, and one interception in 2025.
• Tykee Smith has 2.0 sacks in addition to his 6.0 TFL, 95 tackles, and one interception.
• SirVocea Dennis has totaled 98 tackles, 9.0 TFL, three sacks, and one interception this year. He's second on the Buccaneers in tackles.
• This season, Antoine Winfield Jr. has 90 tackles, 4.0 TFL, one sack, and two interceptions.

Carolina Betting Info

• Carolina has covered the spread nine times over 16 games with a set total.
• The Panthers have been underdogs by 3 points or more 12 times this year and are 7-5 ATS in those contests.
• Games involving Carolina have hit the over on seven occasions this year.
• This season, the Panthers have won eight out of the 14 games, or 57.1%, in which they've been the underdog.
• The implied probability of a win by the Panthers based on the moneyline is 43.5%.

Panthers Stats

Carolina's Key Players

Offense

• Bryce Young is averaging 6.2 passing yards per attempt (29th in the NFL) and 183.0 yards per game this year, completing 63.2% of his passes on the way to 2,745 total yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through 15 games.
• He's added 217 yards on the ground (third on the Panthers), with two rushing touchdowns. He's averaging 14.5 yards per game and 4.2 per attempt.
• Rico Dowdle has 1,066 rushing yards (leading the Panthers) and six rushing touchdowns, while averaging 66.6 yards per game and 4.7 per carry (16th in the NFL).
• Dowdle also has 37 catches for 277 yards (fourth on the Panthers), with one receiving touchdown. He has been targeted 48 times and averages 17.3 yards per game.
• Tetairoa McMillan has registered 929 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 66 receptions, while being targeted 116 times this season.
• Chuba Hubbard has scored one touchdown on the ground, while running for 501 total yards (3.9 per attempt and 35.8 per game).
• Hubbard has added 28 catches (2.0 per game) for 216 yards (15.4 per game) and three receiving touchdowns. He has been on the receiving end of 37 targets.

Defense

• Tre'von Moehrig's 2025 showing includes 97 tackles, 12.0 TFL, two sacks, and one interception in 15 games. He is third on the Panthers in tackles.
• Christian Rozeboom has 114 tackles, 7.0 TFL, and two sacks. He leads the Panthers in tackles.
• Mike Jackson Sr. has 61 tackles, 4.0 TFL, and four interceptions in the 2025 campaign. He is fourth on the Panthers in tackles.
• Nick Scott's season stats include 100 tackles and one interception in 16 games. He is second on the Panthers in tackles.

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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