Charlotte, North Carolina, December 22, 2025
In a pivotal NFC South showdown, the Carolina Panthers edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in Charlotte. A late-game interception by Lathan Ransom sealed the victory for the Panthers, propelling them to first place in the division. The Buccaneers, facing critical miscommunication between quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Mike Evans, now sit in second place with little time left to secure a playoff spot. The loss further complicates Tampa Bay’s chances of winning their fifth consecutive divisional title.
Charlotte, North Carolina
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have relinquished their lead in the NFC South, falling to the Carolina Panthers 23-20 in a crucial Week 16 matchup on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. This narrow defeat, marked by a late-game interception caused by a miscommunication between quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans, has elevated the Panthers to first place in the division with an 8-7 record, while the Buccaneers now sit at 7-8.
The game’s outcome represents a significant shift in the NFC South title race, which will now come down to the final two weeks of the regular season. The Panthers clinched the victory with a 48-yard field goal from rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter, followed by rookie safety Lathan Ransom’s game-sealing interception of Baker Mayfield with 42 seconds remaining.
Game Dynamics and Critical Moments
The contest at Bank of America Stadium was a back-and-forth affair. The Buccaneers initially took a 7-3 lead with a one-yard touchdown by Mike Evans, followed by a Chase McLaughlin 23-yard field goal, giving them a 10-3 advantage. However, the Panthers responded with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Tetairoa McMillan just before halftime, cutting the Bucs’ lead to 13-10.
Tampa Bay regained the lead in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Sean Tucker, making it 17-13. The Panthers, however, answered with a six-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Ja’Tavion Sanders. The Buccaneers tied the game in the fourth quarter, but a subsequent 48-yard field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald gave Carolina the definitive lead.
The crucial turning point came during the Buccaneers’ final drive, as they sought a tying or go-ahead score. A miscommunication between quarterback Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans resulted in an interception by Lathan Ransom, effectively ending Tampa Bay’s comeback bid. Head Coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Baker Mayfield confirmed the miscommunication, with Mayfield explaining that Evans had stopped his route believing Mayfield was scrambling, a play Mayfield had successfully executed earlier in the drive.
Divisional Outlook and Playoff Race
This victory marks the Panthers’ first win against Baker Mayfield since his release by Carolina in 2022 and places them in sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Carolina (8-7) now holds a one-game lead over the Buccaneers (7-8), with two weeks remaining in the regular season. The teams are scheduled to play each other again in Week 18 in Tampa Bay, a game that could potentially decide the division title.
The Buccaneers, who have claimed four consecutive NFC South divisional titles, face a challenging path to secure their fifth straight. To win the division, Tampa Bay needs to win out their remaining games against the Dolphins and Panthers. The Panthers, meanwhile, can clinch the division as early as next Sunday with a win over Seattle and a Buccaneers loss to Miami.
Images from the costly NFC South loss to the Panthers in Charlotte captured the intensity of the game and the visible disappointment of the Buccaneers. Despite being considered heavy favorites for the division at -255 prior to recent developments, the Buccaneers’ recent performance, including blowing several second-half leads in the past six weeks, has added pressure to their playoff aspirations.
The Buccaneers’ defense limited the Panthers to 275 total yards, but a critical breakdown just before halftime, allowing a 22-yard touchdown pass, proved costly. Quarterback Bryce Young of the Panthers threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, with his ability to make big plays under pressure being highlighted.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the primary outcome of the recent Tampa Bay Buccaneers game?
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a costly loss to the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a final score of 23-20, leading to them falling out of first place in the NFC South division.
- What was a key factor contributing to the Buccaneers’ loss?
- A crucial miscommunication between quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans on the final offensive play of the game resulted in a game-sealing interception.
- What are the current NFC South implications for the Buccaneers?
- The Buccaneers have fallen to a 7-8 record and are now in second place in the NFC South, one game behind the Carolina Panthers, who hold an 8-7 record.
- What was the Buccaneers’ divisional standing before this game?
- The Buccaneers were tied for first place in the NFC South with the Panthers (both 7-7) before this game and had previously been the four-time defending NFC South champions.
- What was the final score of the game?
- The Carolina Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20.
Key Features of the Buccaneers’ Recent Performance
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Carolina Panthers | Nationwide |
| Location of Game | Charlotte, North Carolina | State-level |
| Date of Game | Sunday, December 21, 2025 | Nationwide |
| Final Score | Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20 | Nationwide |
| Outcome for Buccaneers | Costly loss, fell out of first place in NFC South | Nationwide |
| Primary Cause of Loss | Miscommunication between QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans on final drive | Nationwide |
| Buccaneers’ Current Record | 7-8 | Nationwide |
| Panthers’ Current Record | 8-7 | Nationwide |
| Previous Divisional Status | Four-time defending NFC South champions | Nationwide |
| Impact on Panthers | Moved to first place in NFC South, kept division hopes alive | Nationwide |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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