- Matchup: Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
- Broadcast: ABC
- Betting Line: Buccaneers favored by 3 points
- Over/Under Total: 43.5 points
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The Carolina Panthers (8-8) are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) at Raymond James Stadium this Sunday. The Buccaneers enter this matchup as 3-point favorites according to Las Vegas lines, with the total set at 43.5 points.
With a balanced 8-8 record, the Carolina Panthers are coming off a defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, finishing the game at 27-10. Rico Dowdle led the rushing attack, carrying the ball 12 times for 59 yards (averaging 4.9 yards per carry). He recorded 4 yards on 3 receptions as well, averaging 1.3 yards per catch. Quarterback Bryce Young completed 14 of 24 passes for 54 yards, posting a quarterback rating of 45.8 with one interception. On defense, the Panthers allowed 163 rushing yards on 36 attempts, averaging 4.5 yards per rush. The Panthers’ pass defense permitted 18 completions on 27 attempts, yielding 125 yards at a 66.7% completion rate. Carolina executed 50 plays totaling 139 yards, with 26 rushing attempts for 99 yards, resulting in an average of 3.8 yards per carry.
This season, the Panthers have amassed a total of 4,740 yards while registering 157 first downs and suffering from 90 penalties totaling 716 yards. In scoring terms, they have recorded 22 touchdown passes along with 9 rushing touchdowns, but have also turned the ball over 20 times (11 interceptions and 9 fumbles). Averaging 122.4 rushing yards per game puts them 11th in the league. However, they’re only managing to score an average of 18.6 points per game.
Defensively, the Panthers have conceded 3,269 passing yards, ranking them 14th in the league. They allow 204.3 yards per game through the air with a completion percentage of 66.0%. In total, they’ve given up 1,956 rushing yards this season, allowing an average of 122.3 rushing yards per game and 20 touchdowns on the ground. Collectively, they rank 15th in total yards allowed at 326.6 per game. The Panthers allow 22.8 points per game, placing them at 17th in the league for points surrendered.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come into this game with a 7-9 record. Their last outing ended in a narrow defeat to the Miami Dolphins, with a score of 20-17. In that game, Baker Mayfield threw for 346 yards on 33 completions out of 44 attempts, achieving 2 touchdowns and posting a quarterback rating of 93.6, despite throwing 2 interceptions. Bucky Irving led the ground game with 9 carries for 19 yards, averaging 2.1 yards per attempt. As a receiver, Chris Godwin grabbed 7 catches for 108 yards (15.4 yards per catch). The Buccaneers ran for an average of 3.3 yards per attempt, totaling 53 yards on 16 carries. Overall, the Buccaneers amassed 380 total yards on 60 plays, averaging 6.3 yards per play. On defense, they allowed a 63.6% completion rate, yielding 153 yards on 14 completions out of 22 attempts, and surrendered 145 yards on 30 rush attempts, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
In terms of offensive performance, Tampa Bay ranks 18th in the league, averaging 22.8 points per game. They have gathered a total of 3,302 passing yards this season, averaging 206.4 yards per game, which puts them at 20th in the league. Their rushing attack averages 112.9 yards per outing, totaling 1,807 yards this year. Overall, Tampa Bay averages 319.3 total yards per game, landing 22nd in the league. Their offense has accumulated 692 yards from 89 penalties, ranking 29th in the league for mistakes. They have thrown 10 interceptions and suffered 5 lost fumbles, achieving 162 first downs thus far.
On the defensive side, they have allowed 28 passing touchdowns and an average of 236.4 passing yards per game, positioning them at 26th in the league. The Buccaneers have given up 1,665 rushing yards this season (averaging 104.1 rushing yards per game) and have allowed 16 touchdowns on the ground. With 20 takeaways (8 fumbles forced and 12 interceptions) this year, they’ve conceded a total of 397 points to date. The Buccaneers’ defense has been on the field for 952 plays, ranking them 9th in the league.
Who will come out on top in the Panthers vs. Buccaneers matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Choose the Buccaneers -3
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