Panthers 14–16 Buccaneers: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 18, 2025

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

B. Young (Carolina Panthers), 66.7% completion, +11.3% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +5.64 total passing EPA. B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 55.2% completion, +5.5% CPOE, +0.35 EPA per dropback, +10.16 total passing EPA.

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

B. Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.16 total EPA on Passing plays. across 29 snaps. Their top snap (-4.27 EPA): (12:28) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 2-E.Egbuka INTERCEPTED by 56-C.Rozeboom at TB 39. 56-C.Rozeboom to TB 19 for 20 yards (13-M.Evans)..

Quick answer

Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final score: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16–14 Carolina Panthers
Halftime: Carolina Panthers 7–13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Baker Mayfield
Top passer: Byron Young
Biggest EPA play: (11:15) (Shotgun) 5-R.Dowdle FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 24, RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at TB …
Game date: 2026-01-03

Game summary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 16–14 on 2026-01-03. Baker Mayfield posted a game-high +10.16 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Carolina Panthers	0	7	0	7	0	14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	10	3	3	3	0	16

Scoring Map

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

CARCarolina Panthers

CAR 18

+1CAR 15

+3CAR 11

TB 8

+1TB 15

+3CAR 18

+3TB 65

+3CAR 30

TB 8

+1TB 15

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

10 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 9:35TD
Cade Otton
Points+6
Yard line
CAR 18
Score
0-6
(9:35) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 88-C.Otton for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 9:31XP
Chase McLaughlin
Points+1
Yard line
CAR 15
Score
0-7
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q1 2:01FG
Chase McLaughlin
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 11
Score
0-10
(2:01) 4-C.McLaughlin 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 10:56TD
Tommy Tremble
Points+6
Yard line
TB 8
Score
6-10
(10:56) 9-B.Young pass short right to 82-T.Tremble for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q2 10:50XP
Ryan Fitzgerald
Points+1
Yard line
TB 15
Score
7-10
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q2 0:05FG
Chase McLaughlin
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 18
Score
7-13
(:05) 4-C.McLaughlin 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon. Penalty on CAR, Illegal Formation, declined.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q3 15:00FG
Rico Dowdle
Points+3
Yard line
TB 65
Score
7-13
(15:00) 5-R.Dowdle up the middle to CAR 39 for 4 yards (54-L.David; 0-Y.Diaby).
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
Q4 14:17FG
Chase McLaughlin
Points+3
Yard line
CAR 30
Score
7-16
(14:17) 4-C.McLaughlin 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 2:31TD
Jalen Coker
Points+6
Yard line
TB 8
Score
13-16
(2:31) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short left to 18-J.Coker for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CARCarolina Panthers
Q4 2:27XP
Ryan Fitzgerald
Points+1
Yard line
TB 15
Score
14-16
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Baker Mayfield · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +10.16 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
2Byron Young · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +5.64 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
3Tetairoa McMillan · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.46 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
4Cade Otton · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.10 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
5Tommy Tremble · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
6Mitchell Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +3.22 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.61 EPA/play
7Ricky White III · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
8Jalen McMillan · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +1.78 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.78 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Baker Mayfield — TB · Passing

Baker Mayfield posted the highest total EPA (+10.16) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Across 29 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.

Baker Mayfield's top snap (-4.27 EPA): (12:28) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 2-E.Egbuka INTERCEPTED by 56-C.Rozeboom at TB 39. 56-C.Rozeboom to TB 19 for 20 yards (13-M.Evans).

Biggest single play (-5.99 EPA): Rico Dowdle — (11:15) (Shotgun) 5-R.Dowdle FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 24, RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at TB 29.

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 Young (Carolina Panthers) · 36 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +11.3% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +5.64 total EPA
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 29 dropbacks · 55.2% completion · +5.5% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +10.16 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Carolina Panthers	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Offensive EPA/play	-0.054	-0.022
Offensive success rate	46.2%	46.3%
Pass EPA/play	+0.157	+0.350
Rush EPA/play	-0.568	-0.235
Defensive EPA/play	+0.022	+0.054
Defensive success rate	53.7%	53.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Carolina Panthers -0.05, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -0.02) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Carolina Panthers: -0.05 EPA/play (34th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.02 EPA/play (41st percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)

Carolina Panthers: 10 drives, -3.48 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10 drives, -1.80 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Cade Otton (Baker Mayfield pass) (Q1 9:35)
Carolina Panthers — Tommy Tremble (Byron Young pass) (Q2 10:56)
Carolina Panthers — Jalen Coker (Byron Young pass) (Q4 2:31)

Field goals

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chase McLaughlin (Q1 2:01)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chase McLaughlin (Q2 0:05)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Rico Dowdle (Q3 15:00)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chase McLaughlin (Q4 14:17)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 10–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the CAR 18 (Q1 9:35) — (9:35) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 88-C.Otton for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 9:31) — 4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 11 (Q1 2:01) — (2:01) 4-C.McLaughlin 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The second quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–3. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 8 (Q2 10:56) — (10:56) 9-B.Young pass short right to 82-T.Tremble for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 10:50) — 10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 18 (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 4-C.McLaughlin 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon. Penalty on CAR, Illegal Formation, declined..

The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the TB 65 (Q3 15:00) — (15:00) 5-R.Dowdle up the middle to CAR 39 for 4 yards (54-L.David; 0-Y.Diaby)..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 7–3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the CAR 30 (Q4 14:17) — (14:17) 4-C.McLaughlin 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the TB 8 (Q4 2:31) — (2:31) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short left to 18-J.Coker for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q4 2:27) — 10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Carolina Panthers (Q4 11:15) — (11:15) (Shotgun) 5-R.Dowdle FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 24, RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at TB 29. [WPA -17.6% · EPA -5.99]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 0:03) — (:03) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short middle to 18-J.Coker to CAR 34 for 13 yards. Lateral to 4-T.McMillan to CAR 36 for 2 yards. FUMBLES, touched at CAR 35, RECOVERED by TB-21-B.Morrison at CAR 33. [WPA -14.4% · EPA -0.00]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep middle to 4-T.McMillan to TB 8 for 40 yards (25-J.Parrish). [WPA +10.6% · EPA +5.34]
Carolina Panthers (Q2 1:56) — (1:56) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short right intended for 4-T.McMillan INTERCEPTED by 25-J.Parrish at TB 42. 25-J.Parrish ran ob at TB 42 for no gain. [WPA -10.4% · EPA -3.24]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 12:28) — (12:28) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 2-E.Egbuka INTERCEPTED by 56-C.Rozeboom at TB 39. 56-C.Rozeboom to TB 19 for 20 yards (13-M.Evans). [WPA -9.3% · EPA -4.27]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Carolina Panthers (Q4 11:15) — (11:15) (Shotgun) 5-R.Dowdle FUMBLES (Aborted) at TB 24, RECOVERED by TB-54-L.David at TB 29. [WPA -17.6% · EPA -5.99]
Carolina Panthers (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass deep middle to 4-T.McMillan to TB 8 for 40 yards (25-J.Parrish). [WPA +10.6% · EPA +5.34]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 12:28) — (12:28) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 2-E.Egbuka INTERCEPTED by 56-C.Rozeboom at TB 39. 56-C.Rozeboom to TB 19 for 20 yards (13-M.Evans). [WPA -9.3% · EPA -4.27]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q4 5:18) — (5:18) 4-C.McLaughlin 38 yard field goal is BLOCKED (92-C.Jackson), Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon. [WPA -2.4% · EPA -3.48]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 9:35 · CAR 18 · Score 0-6
(9:35) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 88-C.Otton for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 9:31 · CAR 15 · Score 0-7
4-C.McLaughlin extra point is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q1 2:01 · CAR 11 · Score 0-10
(2:01) 4-C.McLaughlin 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q2 10:56 · TB 8 · Score 6-10
(10:56) 9-B.Young pass short right to 82-T.Tremble for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q2 10:50 · TB 15 · Score 7-10
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · CAR 18 · Score 7-13
(:05) 4-C.McLaughlin 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon. Penalty on CAR, Illegal Formation, declined.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 15:00 · TB 65 · Score 7-13
(15:00) 5-R.Dowdle up the middle to CAR 39 for 4 yards (54-L.David; 0-Y.Diaby).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 14:17 · CAR 30 · Score 7-16
(14:17) 4-C.McLaughlin 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-E.Deckers, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 2:31 · TB 8 · Score 13-16
(2:31) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short left to 18-J.Coker for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q4 2:27 · TB 15 · Score 14-16
10-R.Fitzgerald extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-6-S.Martin.

Key takeaways

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

Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 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 Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2026-01-03?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 16-14 in Week 18, 2025.

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

Q1: Carolina Panthers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10; Q2: Carolina Panthers 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Q3: Carolina Panthers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Q4: Carolina Panthers 7, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Final: Carolina Panthers 14, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16.

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

Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Otton (B. Mayfield pass) (Q1 9:35) Carolina Panthers touchdown — T. Tremble (B. Young pass) (Q2 10:56) Carolina Panthers touchdown — J. Coker (B. Young pass) (Q4 2:31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q1 2:01, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q2 0:05, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — R. Dowdle (Q3 15:00, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. McLaughlin (Q4 14:17, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

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

Byron Young (Carolina Panthers), 66.7% completion, +11.3% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +5.64 total passing EPA. Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 55.2% completion, +5.5% CPOE, +0.35 EPA per dropback, +10.16 total passing EPA.

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

Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.16 total EPA on Passing plays. across 29 snaps. Their top snap (-4.27 EPA): (12:28) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle intended for 2-E.Egbuka INTERCEPTED by 56-C.Rozeboom at TB 39. 56-C.Rozeboom to TB 19 for 20 yards (13-M.Evans)..

Was Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 16-14 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Carolina Panthers

Entered 8-8 Now 8-9 L

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Entered 7-9 Now 8-9 W

Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2025 Week 18 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Panthers

Top fantasy performers · Buccaneers

Quick answer

Game summary