The NFC South could have been decided on Sunday. It wasn’t. Therefore, we’ve got a winner-take-all game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (mostly). These teams met just two games ago, and with only one of them able to make the postseason, we’re here to make it even more exciting with our best Panthers vs. Buccaneers predictions for SATURDAY.

Even if you don’t end up making Panthers vs. Buccaneers picks for an NFC South winner at all, you’ll still be able to take advantage of the guaranteed Rebet Social Sportsbook promo code bonus that is also shared below!

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Predictions for NFL Week 18, Saturday 1/3

Since these teams last met, neither has had to leave the Carolina-Florida area, so when it comes to travel, that’s not something that we need to be overly concerned about. Of course, in Tampa, rain could still end up being a factor for any Panthers vs. Buccaneers predictions, whether it’s forecasted or not.

If you were to force our hand to trust either of these teams to get the job done, it would be Tampa Bay. Of course, losing to the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday doesn’t give us enough confidence to make it one of our NFL expert picks, but we do believe that they’ll win their fifth straight NFC South title. We said “mostly” above because Tampa also now needs the Atlanta Falcons to lose to avoid a three-way tie atop the division.

There is no doubt that Carolina has taken a step forward, but again, not enough to have us backing them with our Panthers vs. Buccaneers predictions either. Therefore, you guessed it - we’re heading to the player prop markets for our best bet.
 

 

 

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Best Bet: Bucky Irving Anytime TD (+165 at Rebet)

Last season, the Panthers allowed 24 rushing TDs, which was just one shy of the absolute most in the NFL. They truly have taken a step forward, but in this same regard, they have allowed 20 rushing TDs this year. That’s the third-most in the league, and the advanced metrics suggest that isn’t going to slow down.

Carolina’s defensive EPA per rush ranks 26th of 32 teams, and as for Tampa’s offensive EPA per rush, they rank seventh. It’s quite clear as to why this is the focus of our Panthers vs. Buccaneers predictions, and our only hesitancy isn’t much of one at all. That would be the splitting of carries with other guys getting time when Bucky Irving got hurt.

However, Sean Tucker and Rachaad White got just two carries on Sunday - even Baker Mayfield had more. Tampa also fed Bucky 19 times when these teams recently met, and we just saw Carolina give up 110 yards and TWO TDs to Seattle Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet, not to mention another 51 yards from Kenneth Walker.

Tampa should take the same approach of running the rock on Carolina, so we’re making the best bet from our Panthers vs. Buccaneers predictions on Bucky Irving to score an anytime TD (+165 at Rebet).
 

 

 

How To Watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers NFL Week 18

We mentioned that travel isn’t an issue for either of these southeast teams, and here’s how to watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers NFL Week 18:

  • Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
  • When: 4:30 PM ET on 1/3
  • Watch on TV: ESPN, ABC
  • Where to stream: ESPN+
     
 

 

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

Despite having lost to Carolina just two weeks ago, we’ve got Tampa favored according to the latest Panthers vs. Buccaneers odds for Saturday at Rebet Social Sportsbook:

 

 

 

Panthers vs. Buccaneers Injury Report & Latest News

When it comes to Panthers vs. Buccaneers injuries, we’ll start in Carolina. Although stud WR Tetairoa McMillan was questionable on Sunday, that was just an “illness” situation that shouldn’t be expected to be an issue again. As for who we do need to keep an eye on, that would be Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tershawn Wharton, and Claudin Cherelus.

Swapping to Panthers vs. Buccaneers injury news in Tampa Bay, they’ve finally had the WR core remain intact. However, Tristan Wirfs is still a massive injury, and even Haason Reddick had to be evaluated for a concussion on Sunday, who has already missed time this year. Keep track of it all with the Fantasy Alarm NFL injury report!

 

 

 

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