Buccaneers edge Panthers to keep NFC South title hopes alive

Field Level Media|published: Sat 3rd January, 19:46 2026

Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs against Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their chance to win the NFC South alive by beating the Carolina Panthers 16-14 on a rainy Saturday at Tampa.

The Buccaneers (8-9) and Panthers (8-9) finish tied in the NFC South, but they'll be joined by the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) if they beat the New Orleans Saints (6-10) on Sunday. A three-way tie would benefit Carolina and put the Panthers into the playoffs, while the Buccaneers will be rooting for the Saints because Tampa Bay would win the division if there's only a two-way tie.

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was 16-for-22 for 203 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His 20-yard completion to Cade Otton for a first down late in the fourth quarter helped seal the outcome.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was 24-for-35 for 264 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Carolina produced only 19 rushing yards.

McLaughlin's 48-yard field goal with 14:12 remaining marked the first points of the second half and stretched the Buccaneers' lead to 16-7.

Then the Panthers moved to the Tampa Bay 20, but a flea-flicker went awry with a wayward pitch from Rico Dowdle, resulting in a fumble recovered by Lavonte David for the Buccaneers.

But Carolina had another chance and went 72 yards on eight plays, capped by Young's 8-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker with 2:27 left. The Panthers forced a punt, but got the ball back at their own 3-yard line with 18 seconds left and no timeouts.

It was the second Panthers-Buccaneers matchup in less than two weeks, with Carolina winning 23-20 on Dec. 21 in Charlotte.

The Buccaneers scored on the game's first possession, with Mayfield completing three passes, including an 18-yard touchdown to Otton.

Tampa Bay threatened again right away but settled for McLaughlin's 29-yard field goal.

Carolina's Christian Rozeboom intercepted Mayfield and his 20-yard return put the ball at Tampa Bay's 19. Three plays later, the Panthers were within 10-7 after Young's 8-yard pass to Tommy Tremble.

Carolina's next possession ended when Jacob Parrish picked off Young at the Tampa Bay 42. The Buccaneers converted on McLaughlin's 36-yard field goal with two seconds left in the first half to stretch their edge to 13-7.

--Field Level Media

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