Carolina concedes 5.12 yards a carry, the worst run defence in the NFL. Tampa Bay has the second-best. Our Buccaneers vs Panthers prediction turns on which of those matters more.
The Carolina Panthers are 3-2 and Bryce Young has 11 touchdown passes to two interceptions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 1-5 and have conceded 22 sacks.
Buccaneers vs Panthers: our editor’s props
Two calls from our editor, to read next to Signal’s live numbers.
AT 
Our props
An editorial call, not a Signal model output. 19+ (18+ in AB, MB and QC). Please play responsibly.
Buccaneers vs Panthers: 2026 form so far
The league’s worst run defence against its second-best. The table weighs what each team produces against what the other keeps giving up.
Buccaneers attack against the Panthers defence
| Per game | Buccaneers offence | Panthers allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 164.8 | 222.0 |
| Rushing yards | 127.8 | 132.2 |
| Yards per carry | 4.8 | 5.1 |
| Passer rating | 71.6 | 82.4 |
| Touchdowns | 1.8 | 2.8 |
| Third-down conversion | 36.8% | 42.0% |
| Red-zone conversion | 47.4% | 76.9% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 3.7 | 2.0 |
Panthers attack against the Buccaneers defence
| Per game | Panthers offence | Buccaneers allow |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 295.6 | 224.0 |
| Rushing yards | 108.8 | 75.5 |
| Yards per carry | 4.2 | 3.4 |
| Passer rating | 98.0 | 87.5 |
| Touchdowns | 3.4 | 2.2 |
| Third-down conversion | 38.8% | 33.8% |
| Red-zone conversion | 66.7% | 52.9% |
| Sacks conceded / recorded | 2.4 | 1.8 |
Figures are season to date, across 5 games.
Tampa Bay runs for 4.76 a carry and Carolina gives up 5.12. That is the clearest mismatch anywhere on this card.
Buccaneers vs Panthers quarterback matchup
Bryce Young has 11 touchdown passes to two interceptions at 98.5. Jalon Daniels has three to five at 63.4 and was sacked behind the league’s second-leakiest line.
| Team | Quarterback | Last game | Season to date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | Jalon Daniels | 22/43, 164 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT, 49.0 rtg | 60/98, 501 yds, 3 TD, 5 INT, 63.4 rtg (4 games) |
| Panthers | Bryce Young | 20/39, 281 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 91.9 rtg | 121/201, 1549 yds, 11 TD, 2 INT, 98.5 rtg (5 games) |
Buccaneers vs Panthers injury report and team news
Carolina concedes 5.12 yards a carry, the highest figure in the NFL.
Tampa Bay concedes 3.41 a carry, second only to Jacksonville’s 3.23.
Tampa Bay has conceded 22 sacks in six games, second only to Cleveland.
Two run defences at opposite ends of the league
Carolina gives up 5.12 yards a carry and lets opponents finish 76.9% of their red-zone trips. Both are among the worst marks in football.
Tampa Bay is the opposite against the run — 3.41 a carry, second only to Jacksonville — and it will need to be, because its own passing game rates 71.6.
Bryce Young is the separator. Eleven touchdown passes to two interceptions at 98.5 is a different standard to anything Tampa Bay has managed behind a line that has conceded 22 sacks.
Players to watch
- Bucky Irving (TB, RB): Fronts a ground game at 4.76 a carry.
- Chris Godwin Jr. (TB, WR): A senior target in an attack rating 71.6 passing.
- Bryce Young (CAR, QB): 1,549 yards, 11 scores and two interceptions.
- Tetairoa McMillan (CAR, WR): First read in a passing game rating 98.0.
How to watch Buccaneers vs Panthers in Canada
Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, October 25 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Which Sunday afternoon game CTV shows depends on where you are watching, so check locally. RDS has the French call. DAZN carries every game of the season in Canada through NFL Game Pass. Squawka may earn a commission if you subscribe through that link.
| Detail | Buccaneers vs Panthers |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT / 10:00 AM PT |
| Venue | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| TV | CTV (regional) / TSN / RDS (French) |
| Live stream | DAZN (NFL Game Pass) |
| Week | Week 7, 2026 NFL season |
Buccaneers vs Panthers prediction and score projection
Our Buccaneers vs Panthers prediction is Carolina by 24-20. The Panthers have the better quarterback by a distance, and Tampa Bay has not won since Week 1.
Signal’s live read on this game updates through the week.
Every Week 7 game, previewed
| Kickoff (ET) | Game | Our prediction | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 8:15 PM | Patriots @ Bears | Patriots 24-21 | Read |
| Sun 9:30 AM | Steelers @ Saints | Steelers 27-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Bengals @ Ravens | Ravens 27-23 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Browns @ Titans | Browns 20-16 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Colts @ Vikings | Vikings 27-13 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Dolphins @ Jets | Jets 20-16 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Giants @ Texans | Texans 23-17 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | 49ers @ Falcons | 49ers 30-20 | Read |
| Sun 1:00 PM | Buccaneers @ Panthers | Panthers 24-20 | You are here |
| Sun 4:05 PM | Broncos @ Cardinals | Broncos 26-17 | Read |
| Sun 4:25 PM | Packers @ Lions | Lions 27-24 | Read |
| Sun 4:25 PM | Rams @ Raiders | Rams 27-23 | Read |
| Sun 8:20 PM | Chiefs @ Seahawks | Chiefs 24-23 | Read |
| Mon 8:15 PM | Cowboys @ Eagles | Eagles 23-20 | Read |
Our NFL hub carries the full card, and Signal rates every Week 7 game on the same model. This is an NFC game, so the NFC Championship odds are the ones it moves. The AFC Championship odds are on the same page.
Buccaneers vs Panthers FAQ
Carolina. Our Signal model has the Panthers favoured, with the live number in the Signal card on this page. Carolina is 3-2 at +23; Tampa Bay is 1-5.
1:00 PM ET on Sunday, October 25, which is 12:00 PM CT and 10:00 AM PT, at Bank of America Stadium.
CTV’s Sunday afternoon game is a regional pick, so check your local listings. RDS has the French call. DAZN carries every game of the season in Canada through NFL Game Pass.
Carolina, conceding 5.12 yards a carry — the highest figure in the NFL.
19+ (18+ in AB, MB and QC) | Please play responsibly | ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON) | Signal probabilities approximate at time of writing and subject to change