JUMP TO:
Week 18 is upon us, and the NFC South remains undecided. Both the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to win the division title, and they happen to play each other in Week 18.
The Panthers will go on the road to take on the Buccaneers in a rematch of their Week 16 divisional game. Carolina won that matchup 23-20, but it was at home. The rematch will be on Tampa Bay’s turf.
This game will go a long way in determining who wins the NFC South and earns the No. 4 seed for the NFC’s playoff picture. If Carolina wins the game, it is in the playoffs. If Tampa Bay wins, all eyes turn to the Atlanta Falcons–New Orleans Saints game on Sunday. If Atlanta wins that matchup, Carolina would automatically win the NFC South due to tiebreakers, regardless of the result of their Saturday game.
If the Saints beat the Falcons, and the Buccaneers beat the Panthers, Tampa Bay would win the NFC South and make the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, despite an 8-9 record.
The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates and highlights as the Buccaneers take on the Panthers in Week 18.
WATCH: Buccaneers vs. Panthers LIVE with Fubo (free trial)
Panthers vs. Buccaneers score
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Panthers vs. Buccaneers live updates, highlights from NFL Week 18 game
All times ET.
4:31 p.m.: We are underway in Tampa Bay.
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense has the ball first.
4:27 p.m.: The Panthers and Buccaneers are on the field and we are minutes away from Week 18 of the NFL season.
4:17 p.m.: The battle for the NFC South is almost here.
Who ya got in this NFC South showdown?
CARvsTB on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/WI0j37j4tv— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2026
Two weeks ago, the Panthers beat the Buccaneers in Carolina to take control of the division. Can they close it out with a season sweep on the road?
3:55 p.m.: Kickoff is approaching at Raymond-James Stadium in Tampa Bay.
Almost that time 👀#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/gpvCP7MZn6
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 3, 2026
What does rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka have in store?
3:41 p.m.: With a win, the Panthers would win the NFC South for the first time in a decade.
The Carolina Panthers are looking to win the NFC South for the first time since they won three consecutive division crowns from 2013-15.
They clinch the division with a win today at Tampa Bay 👀 pic.twitter.com/JDgiq0ApZE
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) January 3, 2026
Tampa Bay would win the South for the fifth straight year with a win today and New Orleans win on Sunday.
3:30 p.m.: The NFC South can be decided in Tampa Bay on Saturday afternoon. With a win on the road, the Carolina Panthers will clinch the NFC South title and make the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Who’s taking this matchup for the NFC South? 👀
CARvsTB– 4:30pm ET on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/RjfvBHCuCz— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2026
On the other side is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who started 5-1 and looked to run away with the division. Now, Tampa Bay needs a win today and the New Orleans Saints to defeat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
MORE PANTHERS-BUCCANEERS NEWS:
Where to watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers
Panthers vs. Buccaneers start time
- Date: Sunday, January 4
- Start time: 4:30 p.m. ET
The Buccaneers and Panthers will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4. The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order heading into Week 18
What channel is Panthers vs. Buccaneers on today?
- TV channel: ESPN, ABC
- Live stream: ESPN App, Fubo
Saturday afternoon’s game between the Buccaneers and the Panthers will air nationally on ESPN and ABC. It will be the first of two games on Saturday before heading into the final day of the regular season on Sunday.
ESPN and ABC will be going with a three-man booth for this game with Chris Fowler serving as the play-by-play analyst, and Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick being color commentators. Katie George and Peter Schrager will be the sideline reporters.
The game can be streamed can do so with the ESPN app and Fubo, with the latter carrying ESPN and ABC in its channel lineup while also offering a free trial.
MORE WEEK 18 NFL:
NFL Week 18 schedule
Here is a look at the schedule for the final week of the 2025 regular season.
Saturday, Jan. 3
| Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Panthers vs. Buccaneers | 4:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |
| Seahawks vs. 49ers | 8 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |
Sunday, Jan. 4
| Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Saints vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| Browns vs. Bengals | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| Packers vs. Vikings | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| Cowboys vs. Giants | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| Titans vs. Jaguars | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| Colts vs. Texans | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| Jets vs. Bills | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Lions vs. Bears | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| Chargers vs. Broncos | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Chiefs vs. Raiders | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Cardinals vs. Rams | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| Dolphins vs. Patriots | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| Commanders vs. Eagles | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Ravens vs. Steelers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
