Panthers vs Buccaneers Prediction 12/21/25 NFL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Panthers vs Buccaneers prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, December 21st at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 16 matchup.

Carolina Panthers Betting Preview

The Carolina Panthers are 7-7 this season after they lost to New Orleans by a score of 20-17 in their last game. Carolina led 10-7 at halftime and 17-7 in the third quarter, but they were outscored 13-0 to end the game with the terrible loss. The Panthers were out gained by a total of 337-281, went 7-14 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Bryce Young went 15-24 for 163 yards and one touchdown, while Rico Dowdle rushed 16 times for 49 yards and one score. Jalen Coker led the receivers with four catches for 60 yards and one touchdown in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Carolina defeated the Rams by a score of 31-28, but lost to the 49ers by a score of 20-9 before that. The Panthers have alternated wins and losses over their last eight games and they are currently tied for first in the NFC South standings. Carolina has scored 18.9 points per game with 183.4 passing yards and 125.6 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 22.6 points against per game this season. Bryce Young has thrown for 2,500 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while Rico Dowdle has rushed for 978 yards and six scores on 208 carries this season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 7-7 this year after they lost to Atlanta by a score of 29-28 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 14-13 at halftime, but they led 28-14 in the fourth quarter, before allowing 15 points in the final 9:37 for the loss. The Buccaneers were out gained by a total of 476-338, went 4-9 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at one in the game. Baker Mayfield went 19-34 for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while Bucky Irving rushed 16 times for 60 yards. Mike Evans led the receivers with six catches for 132 yards in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay lost to the Saints by a score of 24-20, but did beat the Cardinals by a score of 20-17 before that. The Buccaneers have lost five of their last six games and they are currently tied for first in the NFC South standings. Tampa Bay has scored 23.4 points per game with 203.4 passing yards and 113.2 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 25.3 points against per game this season. Baker Mayfield has thrown for 2,999 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Emeka Egbuka has 58 receptions for 870 yards and six scores this year. 

Why the Carolina Panthers will win

• The underdogs have won seven of the Panthers’ last eight games at Bank of America Stadium.
• The Buccaneers have lost three of their last four games as favorites.
• The Panthers have covered the spread in each of their last 11 games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Buccaneers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games.
• The Panthers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last five games against NFC South opponents.
• The Buccaneers have lost the first half in seven of their eight previous Week 16 games against NFC South opponents.
• The Panthers have won the first quarter in three of their last four games as home underdogs against NFC opponents.

Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win

• The Panthers have lost 12 of their last 13 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Buccaneers have won nine of their last 10 games against the Panthers.
• The Buccaneers have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games following a Division game.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five Week 16 games against NFC South opponents.
• The Buccaneers have won the first quarter in each of their last five December games against the Panthers.
• The Buccaneers have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight games as favorites following a loss.
• The Panthers have lost the first half in 16 of their last 17 games following a road loss.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Buccaneers’ last six games without Antoine Winfield Jr. have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Panthers’ last six games without Chuba Hubbard have gone OVER the total points line.
• Eleven of the last 13 Sunday games at Bank of America Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.

Carolina Panthers Player Prop Facts

• Rico Dowdle has scored a touchdown in seven of his last eight home appearances against division opponents.
• Xavier Legette has recorded 23+ receiving yards in each of his seven previous appearances with the Panthers as underdogs against NFC South opponents.
• Chuba Hubbard has recorded 38+ rushing yards in each of his last 12 appearances with the Panthers as underdogs following a road loss.
• Chuba Hubbard has recorded 49+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last 19 appearances following a road loss.
• Heading into Week 16, Mike Jackson ranks T7th in the league for passes defensed (14) this season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Prop Facts

• Bucky Irving has scored a touchdown in each of his five previous appearances with the Buccaneers as road favorites.
• Baker Mayfield has recorded 235+ passing yards in each of his last six December appearances with his team as a road favorite.
• Baker Mayfield has recorded 21+ completions in each of his last five Week 16 appearances.
• Jalen McMillan has recorded 11+ receiving yards in each of his last 11 appearances.
• Rachaad White has recorded 20+ rushing yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last eight December games against NFC South opponents.
• Rachaad White has recorded 29+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last nine Sunday games.
• Heading into Week 16, Chase McLaughlin ranks 1st in the NFL in 50+ yard field goals made (10) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Panthers – two different players have recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 16.
• Heading into Week 16, the Panthers are the only team to overturn multiple 12+ point 2nd quarter deficits to win this season.
• Heading into Week 16, 11 different Buccaneers players have recorded a receiving touchdown this season – equal-most in the league.
• Heading into Week 16, the Buccaneers have lost the fourth quarter in each of their last five games – longest active streak in the league.

Panthers vs Buccaneers Prediction 

These two teams come into this matchup locked in a battle for first in the NFC South standings, so this is a huge game for both sides. Carolina is 4-2 at home this year and they have alternated wins and losses over their last eight games, which means they are due for a win if that trend continues. Tampa Bay is 4-3 on the road and they have lost five of their last six games. The Buccaneers have allowed 28+ points in three of their last five games and their high scoring offense has been inconsistent recently. Both teams are capable of scoring plenty of points, but with so much on the line, I think we are going to see a typical NFC South low scoring game. Take the under here. 

David Racey is 93-71 (57%) in the NFL this season and is one of the top NFL cappers on the NFL Leaderboard. David went 10-2 in the NFL last Sunday/Monday. Click here for his premium plays for this week!