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NFC South Race Heats Up: Bucs & Panthers Tied
21 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Buccaneers and Panthers are tied for first place in the NFC South.
- Both teams will play each other twice in the final three weeks.
- Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers will make his NFL debut.
The NFC South division race intensifies in Week 16 as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, both holding a 7-7 record, face off in a critical early afternoon game. This marks the first of two crucial matchups between the rivals within the final three weeks of the 2025 regular season, with the final showdown scheduled for Week 18 in Tampa.
The winner of this game will gain a substantial upper hand, essentially controlling their own destiny for a potential playoff berth, as the division is expected to send only one team to the postseason. This adds immense pressure to the contest, making every play vital for both the Buccaneers and Panthers.
Further adding to the narrative, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers is slated to make his NFL debut. Ewers, a seventh-round pick from Texas, will start in place of Tua Tagovailoa, who was benched following a disappointing Week 15 performance. Ewers brings a strong collegiate background, having thrown for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns during his time with the Longhorns.
