Panthers vs. Buccaneers Expert Picks | Predictions, Best Bets & Latest Odds Today

The NFC South title is on the line today when the Carolina Panthers (8-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) face off at Raymond James Stadium at 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN). Our Panthers vs. Buccaneers expert picks break down all of our predictions and best bets with the Buccaneers favored by 4 points as part of our NFL Week 18 predictions.  

🏈 Panthers vs. Buccaneers expert picks, predictions & best bets

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season.

🔮 Panthers vs. Buccaneers prediction

Panthers +3 (-115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dustin Saracini: "It doesn't get much bigger than this, and if you're in need of a refresher of the NFL Week 18 scenarios, this game has no shortage of storylines.

How did we get here? Well, Tampa's complete implosion helps. The Bucs were once 6-2 and in control of the NFC South, and now they're playing for their lives against a team that has won when it needed to, including a 23-20 victory against the Bucs in Week 16. Tampa has the 26th-ranked pass defense this year, and that'll be the reason Carolina covers."

See Saracini's full analysis in his Panthers vs. Buccaneers predictions, including his favorite player prop bet and the best betting trends, injury report, and more. Our Panthers vs. Buccaneers weather report also breaks down how thunderstorms could impact the outcome of this de facto NFC South title game.

🔥 Best Panthers vs. Buccaneers player prop pick

Bryce Young Over 18.5 rushing yards (-112) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brenden Schaeffer: "The Tampa Bay defense has been uniquely exposed by running quarterbacks this season, allowing the sixth-most QB rushing yards in the NFL (351). Bryce Young averages only 14.4 rushing yards per game on the year, but his rushing has ramped up in recent weeks."

See Schaeffer's full analysis in his Panthers vs. Buccaneers player props, including his best bet for Rico Dowdle and Bucky Irving today in this NFC South clash. We have more in Dowdle's extra motivation this week with our NFL contract incentives tracker with every bonus, milestone, and record at stake in Week 18.

🙌 Best Panthers vs. Buccaneers anytime touchdown scorer pick

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers (+160) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Esten McLaren: "The 32-year-old Mike Evans had his streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons come to a screeching halt this year while being limited to seven games played (today will be his eighth). His three touchdowns entering the regular-season finale are tied with his sophomore NFL season as being the lowest total of his career. So, my best Panthers vs. Buccaneers anytime touchdown scorer prediction is for the veteran to make an impact in Week 18 and give his team its best shot at reaching the postseason for a sixth straight season, in what could be Evans' final game."

See McLaren's full analysis in his anytime touchdown scorer predictions for Panthers vs. Buccaneers, including two more bets at plus-money odds for breakout receivers. You can follow all of our NFL touchdown props for the biggest games every week.

1️⃣ Best Panthers vs. Buccaneers first touchdown scorer pick

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Panthers (+950) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sean Tomlinson: "Running backs are always alluring in this market, despite their comparably shorter odds. But the Panthers' Rico Dowdle isn't appealing here since the Bucs rank seventh against the run. Instead, target a weak Tampa pass defense that sits 26th while allowing 236.4 yards per game, and more recently, 255.3 yards per contest while the team has dropped seven of its last eight matchups. Tetairoa McMillan has snagged seven touchdown grabs, including five in his previous six outings."

See Tomlinson's full analysis in his first touchdown scorer predictions for Panthers vs. Buccaneers, including a +2500 long shot to score today in this NFC South duel.

🚀 Panthers vs. Buccaneers same-game parlay

Here's a look at what Schaeffer is betting tonight with his best Panthers vs. Buccaneers SGP paying out at +423 odds:

See Schaeffer's full analysis in his Panthers vs. Buccaneers same-game parlay, including his analysis for all three SGP bets. You can follow all of our NFL same-game parlay bets for the biggest games every week.

📊 Panthers vs. Buccaneers odds

Want more NFL betting advice? Check out all of our NFL analysis and expert predictions for every game from Week 18 through the Super Bowl.

📺 How to watch Panthers vs. Buccaneers: NFL Week 18

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 3
• Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
• TV: ABC/ESPN