- WHERE: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
- WHEN: 4:30 p.m. ET
- HOW TO WATCH: ESPN, ABC, NFL+
Saturday's NFL doubleheader will carry significant importance for the upcoming playoffs.
Both games could decide two NFC division championships, with the Panthers and Buccaneers meeting with the NFC South on the line and the 49ers hosting the Seahawks with the West -- and the No. 1 seed -- up for grabs.
A Panthers win would clinch their first division title since 2015, when they reached the Super Bowl. Interestingly, Tampa Bay winning wouldn't clinch its fifth straight division title with a victory -- the Bucs also need the Saints to beat the Falcons in Atlanta.
The Bucs and Panthers are crawling into their matchup amid recent struggles. The Seahawks and 49ers, however, duel with matching six-game win streaks. Each will carry significant weight in shaping the 2025 postseason field.
Two must-know storylines
1) Which Young will show up for Carolina?
Bryce Young has made strides in each of his NFL seasons and has had his share of successes in 2025, leading four fourth-quarter comebacks and six game-winning drives. Young's calm in the face of pressure has been a welcome sight for a team that has been weighed down for years by poor QB play. But he also has yo-yoed back and forth the past few weeks with good and bad performances, matching Carolina's win-loss-win-loss pattern for the past eight games. Young completed 21 of 32 passes for 191 yards and two TDs in the Panthers' win over the Bucs in Week 16, also scrambling effectively against pressure. Facing a beat-up Bucs defense again could provide more big-play opportunities after struggling last week vs. Seattle, as Tampa Bay has had coverage and pass-rush issues lately and could be without cornerback Benjamin Morrison. Look for Young to try to hit Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker on deep shots early to get them going, although it could be tougher if running back Rico Dowdle (toe) is ineffective or can't go.
2) Banged-up Mayfield must rediscover magic for Bucs
The Bucs' offense seemingly has gotten healthier, with the returns of wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan and running back Bucky Irving, but Baker Mayfield's health might be turning the other direction. Mayfield is now listed with a right (throwing) shoulder injury after he'd had one to his left shoulder previously this season, adding to his list of ailments in a physically taxing season. It's reflected in his recent play, with an interception (including a game-ender at Carolina) in each of his past four games. Evans has had his moments in three games since returning, but Mayfield's 66.9 passer rating in 2025 when targeting Evans (three touchdowns, two interceptions) highlights the poor connection they've had. Another worry is the availability of left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Benjamin Chukwuma took his place last week and struggled, allowing two sacks. Tampa Bay has scored 20 or fewer points in five of its past six games since Week 12 after having only done so twice from Weeks 1 through 11. If the Bucs are going to win this game, they'll need better play from the offense.
Panthers' Week 18 injury report
| Player | Game status | Tues. practice | Wed. practice | Thurs. practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krys Barnes, LB (back) | QUESTIONABLE | DNP | FP | FP |
| Claudin Cherelus, LB (calf, ankle) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Rico Dowdle, RB (toe) | --- | DNP | FP | FP |
| Robert Hunt, G (biceps) | OUT | FP | FP | LP |
| David Moore, WR (elbow) | OUT | FP | FP | LP |
| Robert Rochell, CB (concussion) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Tershawn Wharton, DT (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE | FP | FP | FP |
Buccaneers' Week 18 injury report
| Player | Game status | Tues. practice | Wed. practice | Thurs. practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Culp, TE (knee) | --- | FP | FP | FP |
| Jamel Dean, CB (shoulder) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Luke Goedeke, OT (ankle) | --- | LP | LP | LP |
| Calijah Kancey, DT (pectoral) | QUESTIONABLE | LP | LP | FP |
| Baker Mayfield, QB (right shoulder, knee) | --- | LP | FP | FP |
| Benjamin Morrison, CB (hamstring) | -- | DNP | LP | FP |
| Anthony Nelson, LB (knee) | OUT | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Tristan Wirfs, OT (toe) | --- | DNP | LP | LP |
