The Tampa Bay Buccaneers follow up a three-game homestand with a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina in Week 16 for a game that holds their season in the balance. After consecutive losses to New Orleans and Atlanta, Tampa Bay has slipped to 7-7 on the season and will head into Week 16 either a game behind the Panthers in the NFC South or in a tie for first place, depending upon Carolina's results in New Orleans on Sunday.
The Buccaneers fell out of first place in the division, at least for now, after failing to protect a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in a 29-28 walk-off loss to the Falcons. Atlanta converted a do-or-die third-and-28 situation on the game-winning drive with a pair of long sideline completions by Kirk Cousins, including a 21-yard strike to WR David Sills on fourth and 14. The Bucs' defense surrendered 476 total yards, including 373 passing yards and three touchdowns by Cousins, all of them to tight end Kyle Pitts.
Tampa Bay's offense picked up 28 first downs in the game and was closer to full strength with the much-anticipated returns of wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. Evans made an immediate impact with six catches for 132 yards and McMillan's 19-yard grab at the goal line in the first quarter set up a one-yard Sean Tucker touchdown run. Baker Mayfield threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns but took five sacks and was intercepted in the fourth quarter to set up a Falcons touchdown drive.
The Panthers take a 7-6 lead into the weekend with a chance to finish Week 15 in first place in the division for the first time in 2025. They have alternated wins and losses over the last seven weeks, most recently pulling off a 31-28 upset win over the top-seeded Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 before enjoying a bye last weekend. Carolina has also posted wins over Green Bay, Dallas and Miami this season, but did lose to the Saints in Week 10.
The Buccaneers and Panthers will meet twice in the next three weeks to decide the NFC South, with the game in Charlotte followed by Carolina's visit to Tampa in Week 18.
