The Carolina Panthers will have a chance to strengthen their hold on first place in the NFC South this Sunday when they host the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The reigning NFC South champs, now 3-2, have won two straight games, including last Sunday’s 25-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Carolina enters Week 7 looking for its first three-game winning streak of the season and its second win over an NFC South foe.
Tampa Bay (1-5) has dropped five of its first six games but could have starting quarterback Baker Mayfield back in the lineup after a three-game absence.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Fox. Here’s everything to know about the matchup, including TV and radio coverage, betting odds, injury updates, key storylines and statistical comparisons.
🔄 Last Updated: October 21, 2026 6:04 pm
🏟️ How to Watch Panthers-Buccaneers in Week 7
Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5) at Carolina Panthers (3-2)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
TV: Fox
Broadcast Crew: Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline)
📻 How to listen to the Carolina Panthers
Panthers Radio: WRFX 99.7 The FOX in Charlotte and affiliates across the Panthers Radio Network
Online Audio: Listen to Panthers Radio online
Panthers Broadcast Crew: The Carolina Panthers Radio Network is led by play-by-play announcer Anish Shroff, with Jake Delhomme and Jim Szoke providing analysis. Panthers legend Luke Kuechly also joins the broadcast team as an analyst for select games. Szoke hosts the network’s pregame stadium show.
📊 Buccaneers at Panthers betting odds
Spread: Panthers -3.5
Over/Under Total: 44.5 points
Moneyline: Buccaneers +138 | Panthers – 164
Lines courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds will be refreshed periodically during the week. All lines are subject to change.
🩹 Buccaneers at Panthers Injury & Availability Updates
Carolina Panthers
Outside linebackers Thomas Incoom (calf) and Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Bucs. Meanwhile, quarterback Bryce Young (knee), tackle Monroe Freeling (knee), running back AJ Dillon (ankle) and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (linebacker) were full participants.
Four Panthers sat out Wednesday for non-injury/veteran rest day reasons, per Panthers.com – running back Chuba Hubbard, tight end Darren Waller, linebacker Devin Lloyd and offensive tackle Taylor Moton,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has returned to practice this week after missing three games due to a dislocated right thumb. Mayfield was listed as a full participant. Among the players who did not participate on Wednesday were: WR Emeka Egbuka (concussion/foot), T Luke Goedeke (calf), RB Bucky Irving (illness), CB Zyon McCollum (illness), LB Christian Rozeboom (finger).
LEGEND: DNP = did not participate in practice … LP = limited participation in practice … FP = full participation … (-) = not listed …
⏪ Last Time Out
Panthers 25, Eagles 14 (Oct. 18) – Bryce Young threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, and the Panthers won their second game in a row, beating the injury-plagued Eagles. Chuba Hubbard rushed for 120 yards and one score. Tommy Tremble hauled in both of Young’s TD throws.
Steelers 26, Buccaneers 19 (Oct. 18) – Tampa Bay surrendered a 13-point lead in the at home and lost in overtime, dropping its fifth game of the season. Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes during Pittsburgh’s late-game rally. The Bucs advanced to midfield on their last possession but quarterback Jalon Daniels was sacked on fourth down.
Carolina Panthers’ 2026 Results (3-2)
Bears 59, Panthers 37 – Sept. 13
Panthers 34, Falcons 3 – Sept. 20
Browns 21, Panthers 18 – Sept. 27
Panthers 32, Lions 26 – Oct. 4
Panthers 25, Eagles 14 – Oct. 18
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 Results (1-5)
Bengals 33, Buccaneers 27
Browns 23, Buccaneers 19
Vikings 23, Buccaneers 16
Packers 17, Buccaneers 14
Buccaneers 24, Cowboys 16
Steelers 26, Buccaneers 19 (OT)
NFL South Standings
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
| Carolina | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 146 | 123 |
| Atlanta | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 142 | 153 |
| New Orleans | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 152 | 178 |
| Tampa Bay | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 119 | 138 |
🔍 What to Know About Panthers-Buccaneers
Carolina looking for third-straight win, 2-0 start against NFC South
The Panthers and Buccaneers come into the game with their seasons heading in different directions. Carolina has won two straight and is starting to perform like an NFC South and playoff contender. Tampa Bay meanwhile has lost five of six games so far, with the only win against the also struggling Cowboys.
Carolina can improve to 4-2 overall and 2-0 against the NFC South with a win at home Sunday afternoon. The Panthers’ other NFC South win came over Atlanta (34-3) in Week 2. A loss would put the Bucs on the brink of falling out of the divisional race less than halfway through the NFL season.
Carolina has the overall edge in the all-time series, 26-25 and 14-12 at home. But Tampa Bay has dominated recently, going 12-3 in the last 15 meetings – including five- and four-game win streaks.
Baker Mayfield returns to practice, unclear if he’ll start on Sunday
Baker Mayfield “threw the ball well” during Tampa Bay’s Wednesday practice session, according to coach Todd Bowles. This was Mayfield’s first practice back since suffering a dislocated right thumb against the Vikings in Week 3.
He practiced wearing a glove on his injured throwing hand, split repetitions with Jalon Daniels and reportedly improved as the session progressed. Bowles said he would decide Mayfield’s status for Sunday’s game against the Panthers on Friday.
Mayfield, a two-time Pro Bowler, threw for 615 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions before the injury.
Rookie Jalon Daniels has started the past three contests for Tampa Bay and will get the nod again if Mayfield is unable to go. Daniels has completed 60-of-98 passes for 501 yards, three TDs and five INTs.
Bryce Young and Panthers offense among NFL’s best
The Panthers have emerged as one of the NFL’s most productive offensive teams through their first five games, ranking second in total offense (404.4 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (29.2 points per game).
Quarterback Bryce Young leads the league in passing yards per game (309.8) and has thrown 11 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. He passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s win over Philadelphia, with tight end Tommy Tremble catching both scoring throws.
Carolina will face a Tampa Bay defense that has been particularly effective against the run, allowing just 75.5 rushing yards per game. The Buccaneers have been more vulnerable through the air, surrendering 237.7 passing yards per contest.
Can Carolina slow down Tampa Bay’s ground game?
With Baker Mayfield sidelined for the past three games, Tampa Bay has leaned heavily on its rushing attack. The Buccaneers average 127.3 rushing yards per game, with Bucky Irving leading the team with 452 yards and two touchdowns on 96 carries.
That could present a challenge for a Carolina defense allowing 132.2 rushing yards per game. The Panthers have been much more effective offensively than defensively so far this season, and limiting Tampa Bay’s ground game could force the Buccaneers into passing situations, particularly if rookie Jalon Daniels makes another start.
Irving’s status also bears watching. The Buccaneers running back did not participate in Wednesday’s practice because of an illness.
Panthers need to clean up dirty laundry
Carolina set a franchise record for penalty yards in Sunday’s game at Philadelphia, getting flagged 13 times for 149 yards. No other Panthers team has posted more penalty yards in a single game.
“We have to clean that up,” coach Dave Canales said to media after the win. “We gotta do better with our hands, in different situations – particularly, if you’re not at the point of attack for a play. We gotta be smarter, we gotta be cleaner with our screens, O-linemen down the field, all that.”
Penalties have been a simmering issue much of the season, starting with the opener against Chicago (11 penalties, 84 yards). Through five games, Carolina has been flagged 48 times for 419 yards. The offense has committed 28 penalties. Special teams has produced nine flags for 90 yards.
📊 Stats and Trends
Carolina Panthers Team Highlights (2026 Season)
- Points For: 29.2 points per game
- Points Against: 24.6 points per game
- Passing Offense: 309.8 passing yards per game
- Rushing Offense: 108.8 rushing yards per game
- Passing Defense: 237.0 passing yards allowed per game
- Rushing Defense: 132.2 rushing yards allowed per game
Carolina Panthers Individual Statistical Leaders
- Passing: Bryce Young – 121-of-201, 1,549 yards, 11 TDs, 2 INTs
- Rushing: Chuba Hubbard – 89 carries, 426 yards, 4 TDs
- Receiving: Tetairoa McMillan – 32 catches, 471 yards, 2 TDs
- Tackles: Devin Lloyd – 35 tackles (24 solo)
- Scoring: Ryan Fitzgerald – 44 points (11-11 FG, 11-15 PATs)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Highlights
- Points For: 19.8 points per game
- Points Against: 23.0 points per game
- Passing Offense: 186.0 passing yards per game
- Rushing Offense: 127.3 rushing yards per game
- Passing Defense: 237.7 passing yards allowed per game
- Rushing Defense: 75.5 rushing yards allowed per game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Individual Statistical Leaders
- Passing: Baker Mayfield – 61-of-96, 615 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
- Rushing: Bucky Irving – 96 carries, 452 yards, 2 TDs
- Receiving: Emeka Egbuka – 28 catches, 240 yards, 2 TDs
- Tackles: Josiah Trotter – 52 tackles (27 solo)
- Scoring: Chase McLaughlin – 53 points (14 FGs, 11 PATs)
By the Numbers
- Bryce Young is the NFL leader in passing yards per game, averaging 309.8 per contest. No one else in the league is averaging better than 300 yards per contest. Young is tied for seventh in touchdown passes with 11.
- The Panthers rank second in the NFL in total offense, averaging 404.4 yards per game – trailing only the Chiefs (414.0). Only one other team averages more than 400 yards of offense – the Rams (401.3).
- Carolina leads the league in net passing yards per contest, averaging 295.6 yards per game. The Rams are the next best team at 288.7.
- Tampa Bay averages 292.7 total yards per game, 24th out of 32 teams. The Bucs are 30th in net passing offense (164.8 yards per game).
- The Panthers rank fourth in the NFL in scoring offense (29.2 ppg).
- Tampa Bay’s offensive strength has been the run game thus far. The Buccaneers average 127.8 yards on the ground, which ranks eighth in the league.
- Carolina is +3 in turnover margin, while Tampa Bay is -3.
📚 Series History
- The Carolina Panthers lead the all-time series 26-25
- Last Meeting: Tampa Bay 16, Carolina 14 (Jan. 3, 2026 in Tampa Bay)
- First Meeting: Tampa Bay 20, Carolina 13 (Oct. 1, 1995 in Charlotte)
- The Panthers own a 14-12 record at home against the Bucs. Carolina lost its most recent meeting in January 2026 but beat Tampa Bay at home in both the 2023-24 season and 2024-25.
🔗 More Carolina Panthers Coverage
- Carolina Panthers Hub Page: Find schedule, team information, links to past games and brief history.
- Carolina Panthers 25, Philadelphia Eagles 14 – Bryce Young threw two touchdown passes, and the Panthers won for the second game in a row to improve to 3-2.
