Buccaneers vs. Panthers Week 18 Dunkel NFL Picks, Predictions and Odds

Having dropped four straight, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) will take on the Carolina Panthers (8-8). Despite that, the Buccaneers are small favorites (-2.5). The matchup has an over/under of 43.5 points.

From an offensive standpoint, the Buccaneers rank 17th in the NFL with 22.8 points per game. Meanwhile, they rank 22nd in points allowed (340.5 points allowed per contest). In terms of total yards, the Panthers rank 27th in the NFL (296.3 total yards per game) and 15th defensively (326.6 total yards allowed per game).

Buccaneers vs. Panthers Odds and Game Time

• Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• City: Tampa, Florida
• Venue: Raymond James Stadium
• Total: 43.5 points
• Spread: Buccaneers -2.5
• Moneyline: Buccaneers (-148), Panthers (+124)

How to watch Buccaneers vs. Panthers

• TV Channel: ESPN
• Live Stream: Fubo

Betting the Over/Under: Buccaneers vs. Panthers

• The Buccaneers and their opponents have gone over 43.5 combined points in eight of 16 games this season.
• Tampa Bay and its opponent have combined to hit the over eight out of 16 times this season.
• Panthers games this season have had a combined scoring total higher than 43.5 points in seven of 16 outings.
• Carolina and its opponent have combined to hit the over seven out of 16 times this season.
• These teams average a combined 41.4 points per game, 2.1 fewer points than this matchup's total.
• Combined, these teams allow 47.6 points per game, 4.1 more points than this matchup's over/under.

Betting the Spread: Buccaneers vs. Panthers

• Tampa Bay has won five games against the spread this season, while failing to cover 11 times.
• Tampa Bay has covered the spread twice when favored by 2.5 points or more this season (in eight opportunities).
• The Panthers have won nine games against the spread this season, failing to cover seven times.
• Carolina has been an underdog by 2.5 points or more 12 times this year, and covered the spread in seven of those contests.
• The Buccaneers have one win against the spread, and are 3-4 overall, at home this year.
• Tampa Bay has one win ATS (1-5) as 2.5-point favorites or more at home.
• This season in away games, the Panthers are 4-4 against the spread and 3-5 overall.
• As 2.5-point underdogs or more on the road, Carolina is 3-3 ATS.

Betting the Moneyline: Buccaneers vs. Panthers

• Tampa Bay has been the moneyline favorite 10 total times this season. They've gone 5-5 in those games.
• The Panthers have entered the game as underdogs 14 times this season and won eight, or 57.1%, of those games.
• When playing as a moneyline favorite with odds of -148 or shorter, Tampa Bay has gone 4-4 (50%).
• Carolina has entered 11 games this season as the underdog by +124 or more and is 5-6 in those contests.
• The Buccaneers have a 59.7% chance to win this contest based on the moneyline's implied probability.

Dunkel Prediction for Buccaneers vs. Panthers

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