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NFL · Week 16 · December 21, 2025 · 12 min read

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: 2025 Week 16 Recap

Panthers defeat Buccaneers 23–20 in Week 16

Tetairoa McMillan led Fantasy Impact as Panthers prevailed in a 20–23 Week 16 finish.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 7–8
Final 20–23
Carolina Panthers 23 8–7 Winner
Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
20–23
Halftime
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10–13 Carolina Panthers
Top passer
Byron Young
FantasyHQ MVP
Tetairoa McMillan
Game date
December 21, 2025

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

  • Baker Mayfield
    Baker Mayfield 18/33 · 176 YDS · 1 TD +5.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Emeka Egbuka
    Emeka Egbuka 1 REC · 40 YDS +3.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Chris Godwin
    Chris Godwin 5 REC · 30 YDS +2.7 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

  • Tetairoa McMillan
    Tetairoa McMillan 6 REC · 73 YDS · 1 TD +6.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Byron Young
    Byron Young 21/36 · 186 YDS · 2 TD +4.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Jalen Coker
    Jalen Coker 3 REC · 47 YDS +1.6 Fantasy Impact
View Buccaneers vs Panthers box score View all 2025 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Carolina Panthers
Final score
Carolina Panthers 23–20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Halftime
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10–13 Carolina Panthers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Tetairoa McMillan
Top passer
Byron Young
Biggest EPA play
(:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2025-12-21

Game summary

The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23–20 on 2025-12-21. Tetairoa McMillan posted a game-high +6.00 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Tampa Bay Buccaneers7373020
Carolina Panthers31073023

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
CARCarolina Panthers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

13 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q1 10:34FG
    Ryan Fitzgerald

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 9
    Score
    0-3

    (10:34) 10-R.Fitzgerald 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  2. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q1 4:06TD
    Mitchell Evans

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 1
    Score
    6-3

    (4:06) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 13-M.Evans for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  3. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q1 4:01XP
    Chase McLaughlin

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 15
    Score
    7-3

    4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

  4. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q2 8:13FG
    Chase McLaughlin

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 5
    Score
    10-3

    (8:13) 4-C.McLaughlin 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

  5. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q2 2:10FG
    Ryan Fitzgerald

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 23
    Score
    10-6

    (2:10) 10-R.Fitzgerald 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  6. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q2 0:12TD
    Tetairoa McMillan

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TB 22
    Score
    10-12

    (:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q2 0:07XP
    Ryan Fitzgerald

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TB 15
    Score
    10-13

    10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  8. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 6:45TD
    Sean Tucker

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CAR 1
    Score
    16-13

    (6:45) 44-S.Tucker left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q3 6:41XP
    Chase McLaughlin

    Points+1

    Yard line
    CAR 15
    Score
    17-13

    4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

  10. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 0:17TD
    Jason Sanders

    Points+6

    Yard line
    TB 6
    Score
    17-19

    (:17) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short left to 0-J.Sanders for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q3 0:08XP
    Ryan Fitzgerald

    Points+1

    Yard line
    TB 15
    Score
    17-20

    10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  12. TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
    Q4 11:29FG
    Chase McLaughlin

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CAR 32
    Score
    20-20

    (11:29) 4-C.McLaughlin 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

  13. CARCarolina Panthers
    Q4 2:24FG
    Ryan Fitzgerald

    Points+3

    Yard line
    TB 30
    Score
    20-23

    (2:24) 10-R.Fitzgerald 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Tetairoa McMillanTetairoa McMillan · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +6.00 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
  2. 2Baker MayfieldBaker Mayfield · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +5.81 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  3. 3Byron YoungByron Young · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +3.99 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  4. 4Emeka EgbukaEmeka Egbuka · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.04 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.52 EPA/play
  5. 5Chris GodwinChris Godwin · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.70 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
  6. 6Ricky White IIIRicky White III · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
  7. 7Jalen CokerJalen Coker · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +1.62 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
  8. 8Ji. Horn · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +1.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Tetairoa McMillan

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Tetairoa McMillan — CAR · Receiving

Tetairoa McMillan posted the highest total EPA (+6.00) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Carolina Panthers. Across 10 counted snaps, they averaged +0.60 EPA per play.

Tetairoa McMillan's top snap (+4.45 EPA): (:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Byron Young led all passers in efficiency for Carolina Panthers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Byron YoungByron Young (Carolina Panthers) · 36 dropbacks · 58.3% completion · +6.7% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +3.99 total EPA
  • Baker MayfieldBaker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 33 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · +1.4% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +5.81 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatTampa Bay BuccaneersCarolina Panthers
Offensive EPA/play+0.112+0.145
Offensive success rate42.9%50.7%
Pass EPA/play+0.176+0.111
Rush EPA/play-0.028+0.079
Defensive EPA/play-0.145-0.112
Defensive success rate49.3%57.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.11, Carolina Panthers +0.14) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +0.11 EPA/play (71st percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: +0.14 EPA/play (78th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
  • Carolina Panthers: 9 drives, +10.03 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9 drives, +9.43 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Mitchell EvansTampa Bay Buccaneers — Mitchell Evans (Baker Mayfield pass) (Q1 4:06)
  • Tetairoa McMillanCarolina Panthers — Tetairoa McMillan (Byron Young pass) (Q2 0:12)
  • Sean TuckerTampa Bay Buccaneers — Sean Tucker (Q3 6:45)
  • Jason SandersCarolina Panthers — Jason Sanders (Byron Young pass) (Q3 0:17)

Field goals

  • Ryan FitzgeraldCarolina Panthers — Ryan Fitzgerald (Q1 10:34)
  • Chase McLaughlinTampa Bay Buccaneers — Chase McLaughlin (Q2 8:13)
  • Ryan FitzgeraldCarolina Panthers — Ryan Fitzgerald (Q2 2:10)
  • Chase McLaughlinTampa Bay Buccaneers — Chase McLaughlin (Q4 11:29)
  • Ryan FitzgeraldCarolina Panthers — Ryan Fitzgerald (Q4 2:24)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 9 (Q1 10:34) — (10:34) 10-R.Fitzgerald 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q1 4:06) — (4:06) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 13-M.Evans for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 4:01) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 10–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 5 (Q2 8:13) — (8:13) 4-C.McLaughlin 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 23 (Q2 2:10) — (2:10) 10-R.Fitzgerald 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 22 (Q2 0:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 0:07) — 10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 1 (Q3 6:45) — (6:45) 44-S.Tucker left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 6:41) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 6 (Q3 0:17) — (:17) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short left to 0-J.Sanders for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q3 0:08) — 10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 32 (Q4 11:29) — (11:29) 4-C.McLaughlin 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the TB 30 (Q4 2:24) — (2:24) 10-R.Fitzgerald 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 0:49) — (:49) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 22-L.Ransom at CAR 30. 22-L.Ransom to CAR 35 for 5 yards. [WPA -31.2% · EPA -1.96]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 12:20) — (12:20) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield sacked at CAR 32 for -9 yards (95-D.Brown). [WPA -16.7% · EPA -2.34]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 6:38) — (6:38) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 2-E.Egbuka to CAR 49 for 40 yards (21-N.Scott). [WPA +13.8% · EPA +3.41]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 0:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.2% · EPA +4.45]
  • Carolina Panthers (Q4 3:16) — (3:16) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep right to 18-J.Coker pushed ob at TB 33 for 34 yards (21-B.Morrison). Penalty on TB-21-B.Morrison, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +13.2% · EPA +2.82]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Carolina Panthers (Q2 0:12) — (:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.2% · EPA +4.45]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 6:38) — (6:38) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 2-E.Egbuka to CAR 49 for 40 yards (21-N.Scott). [WPA +13.8% · EPA +3.41]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 12:20) — (12:20) 4-C.McLaughlin 48 yard field goal is GOOD, NULLIFIED by Penalty, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon. PENALTY on CAR-94-A.Robinson, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced at CAR 30 - No P [WPA +7.8% · EPA +3.38]
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 13:33) — (13:33) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield scrambles right end ran ob at CAR 40 for 23 yards (21-N.Scott). [WPA +11.7% · EPA +2.95]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 10:34 · TB 9 · Score 0-3
    (10:34) 10-R.Fitzgerald 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 4:06 · CAR 1 · Score 6-3
    (4:06) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 13-M.Evans for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 4:01 · CAR 15 · Score 7-3
    4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 8:13 · CAR 5 · Score 10-3
    (8:13) 4-C.McLaughlin 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
  5. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 2:10 · TB 23 · Score 10-6
    (2:10) 10-R.Fitzgerald 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  6. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 0:12 · TB 22 · Score 10-12
    (:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 0:07 · TB 15 · Score 10-13
    10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q3 6:45 · CAR 1 · Score 16-13
    (6:45) 44-S.Tucker left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q3 6:41 · CAR 15 · Score 17-13
    4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
  10. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 0:17 · TB 6 · Score 17-19
    (:17) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short left to 0-J.Sanders for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 0:08 · TB 15 · Score 17-20
    10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 11:29 · CAR 32 · Score 20-20
    (11:29) 4-C.McLaughlin 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
  13. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 2:24 · TB 30 · Score 20-23
    (2:24) 10-R.Fitzgerald 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Carolina Panthers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Byron Young (CAR) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers on 2025-12-21?

The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in Week 16, 2025.

What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Carolina Panthers 3; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Carolina Panthers 10; Q3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7, Carolina Panthers 7; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Carolina Panthers 3; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Carolina Panthers 23.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Evans (B. Mayfield pass) (Q1 4:06) Carolina Panthers touchdown — T. McMillan (B. Young pass) (Q2 0:12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — S. Tucker (Q3 6:45) Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Sanders (B. Young pass) (Q3 0:17) Carolina Panthers field goal — R. Fitzgerald (Q1 10:34, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q2 8:13, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — R. Fitzgerald (Q2 2:10, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q4 11:29, 3 pts) Carolina Panthers field goal — R. Fitzgerald (Q4 2:24, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

Byron Young (Carolina Panthers), 58.3% completion, +6.7% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +3.99 total passing EPA. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 54.5% completion, +1.4% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +5.81 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers?

Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.00 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 10 snaps. Their top snap (+4.45 EPA): (:12) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep left to 4-T.McMillan for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 3 points. Carolina Panthers won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 7-7 Now 7-8 L

Carolina Panthers

Entered 7-7 Now 8-7 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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