Panthers-Buccaneers face off for the NFC South title, though Carolina can still clinch with a loss

Carolina (8-8) at Tampa Bay (7-9)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EST, ESPN

BetMGM NFL odds: Buccaneers by 2 1/2

Against the spread: Panthers 9-7; Buccaneers 5-11

Series record: Panthers lead 25-24.

Last meeting: Panthers beat Buccaneers 23-20 on Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C.

Last week: Panthers lost to Seahawks 27-10; Buccaneers lost to Dolphins lost 20-17.

Panthers offense: overall (27), rush (11), pass (26), scoring (27).

Panthers defense: overall (15), rush (19), pass (14), scoring (16).

Buccaneers offense: overall (22), rush (21), pass (20), scoring (17).

Buccaneers defense: overall (20), rush (7), pass (26), scoring (22).

Turnover differential: Panthers 0; Buccaneers plus-5.

Bryce Young. The third-year QB had one of his better games in a 23-20 win over the Bucs two weeks ago, completing 21 of 32 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the go-ahead field-goal drive. However, Young stumbled last week and was held to 54 yards passing by the Seattle Seahawks with his longest reception going for just 8 yards.

Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans could be playing his last game with the Buccaneers or in the NFL if he chooses to retire. Evans has 14 catches for 194 yards and two TDs in three games since he returned from a broken clavicle.

Panthers receivers vs Buccaneers secondary. Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. McMillan had six catches for 73 yards and one touchdown in the previous matchup, beating Jamel Dean on a fade for the score. Coker had three catches for 47 yards against the Bucs. Dean is out for this one and Zyon McCollum is on injured reserve so the Bucs will be without their two starting cornerbacks.

Panthers: The biggest injury question is whether guard Robert Hunt, the highest-paid offensive lineman in franchise history, will return this week. Hunt has been out since Week 2 with a torn biceps, but the Panthers activated his 21-day practice window this week and he has been back on the field working as a full participant. However, coach Dave Canales hasn’t said whether Hunt will play this week against the Bucs.

Buccaneers: Dean (shoulder) and OLB Anthony Nelson (knee) won’t play. ... DT Calijah Kancey (pectoral) is aiming to return for the first time since Week 2.

The Bucs had won five straight against the Panthers — including four with Baker Mayfield at quarterback — until Carolina snapped the streak two weeks ago. Mayfield is 5-1 in his career against the Panthers.

The Panthers are 3-6 in Saturday games as a franchise. … QB Bryce Young has six touchdown passes and one interception in his past four games. … RB Rico Dowdle was a huge contributor in the running game during a stretch of games where the Panthers won four of five earlier this season. However, Dowdle hasn’t eclipsed 60 yards rushing in any of his past seven games. … RB Chuba Hubbard lost a fumble against Seattle last week leading to a Seahawks touchdown. … With their two fourth down conversions vs. Seattle, the Panthers offense now has 25 this season, the most in a season by any team since at least 1978 according to Elias. Carolina surpassed its previous franchise best of 23 in 2023, and the NFL mark of 24 by Cleveland last season. … WR Tetairoa McMillan needs 71 yards to become only the second rookie in franchise history with 1,000 yards receiving. Kelvin Benjamin holds the team record (1,008) for yards receiver by a rookie. … CB Mike Jackson leads the NFL with 19 pass breakups and had an interception last week against Sam Darnold. … Rookie K Ryan Fitzpatrick has four game-winning field goals this season. ... Panthers coach Dave Canales was the Buccaneers offensive coordinator in 2023. ... The Buccaneers have played in nine games decided by four or fewer points this season, most in a single season in franchise history. They’re 5-4 in those games with four straight losses. ... QB Baker Mayfield has thrown eight interceptions in the past seven games after only two in the first nine. ... Mayfield’s 11 300-yard passing performances since arriving in Tampa Bay are tied for the fourth most in the NFL, trailing only Jared Goff (16), Dak Prescott (13) and Joe Burrow (12). ... WR Emeka Egbuka needs 70 yards to become the third rookie in club history to reach 1,000, joining Michael Clayton (1,193 in 2004) and Mike Evans (1,051 in 2014). ... RB Sean Tucker leads the team with seven rushing TDs.

McMillan is facing a secondary missing its two starting cornerbacks. He’s also 1 yard behind Egbuka for the rookie lead.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones (23) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield looks to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young celebrates after scoring against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

The NFL's regular season has reached its final weekend with plenty undecided in terms of the playoff picture, including the No. 1 seed in both the AFC and NFC.

Here's what to watch over the next few days:

The Denver Broncos, New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars all have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which includes a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs.

The Broncos (13-3) have the clearest path — if they beat the Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) on Sunday, they'll earn the top seed. They could also sneak into the top spot depending on the results for the Patriots and Jaguars.

The easiest way for the Patriots (13-3) to earn the top spot is to beat the Miami Dolphins (7-9) on Sunday and hope the Broncos lose to the Chargers. There are also a few unlikely scenarios — including ties in Week 18 — where they could clinch.

The only way the Jaguars (12-4) will be the No. 1 seed is if they beat the Tennessee Titans (3-13) on Sunday and the Broncos and Patriots both lose. Jacksonville can also clinch the AFC South with a win.

The Houston Texans (11-5) are still in the mix for the AFC South if they can beat the Indianapolis Colts (8-8) and the Jaguars lose.

The Baltimore Ravens (8-8) and Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) are fighting for the AFC North title and the final AFC playoff spot on Sunday. The Steelers need to win or tie while the Ravens have to win.

The Seattle Seahawks (13-3) face the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) on Saturday night with the NFC's No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line. The Seahawks have to win or tie while the 49ers must win.

The Carolina Panthers (8-8) face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) on Saturday for the NFC South title and final NFC playoff spot. Carolina's easiest path is to beat or tie the Bucs, but they could also sneak into the playoff field if they lose and the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) beat the New Orleans Saints (6-11).

Tampa Bay must beat Carolina and then hope the Falcons lose or tie the Saints.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaves the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold passes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)