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Panthers Take 1st Place in NFC South with 23-20 Win over Buccaneers

On Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, the Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in Charlotte, N.C., as Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns and Lathan Ransom sealed the win with a late interception.
Facing the game, Carolina had alternated wins and losses for nine straight games; Panthers left tackle Ickey Ekwonu was ruled out before kickoff after a knee injury last week.
Ryan Fitzgerald, Carolina Panthers rookie kicker, converted a 48-yard field goal with 2:20 left, following Bryce Young's 34-yard pass to Jalen Coker on third-and-4 to set up the score.
The victory boosts Carolina Panthers' postseason chances, increasing their playoff probability from 22% to 43% per The Athletic probability calculator.
The two clubs meet again in Week 18, creating a decisive rematch after Carolina Panthers ended a five-game losing streak to Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Tampa Bay Times

Center

Another comeback attempt falls short as Bucs lose to Panthers

A game-sealing interception thrown by Baker Mayfield helps Tampa Bay fall out of first place in the NFC South.

3 days ago·Tampa, United States

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The Florida Times-Union

Center

Florida NFL wrapup for Dec. 21: Jags beat Broncos, Bucs, Dolphins lose

The Jaguars got a huge AFC victory by defeating the Broncos while the Buccaneers lost to the Panthers, taking a step back in the NFC South.

3 days ago·Jacksonville, United States

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ESPN

Lean Left

Panthers outlast Bucs to take lead in NFC South

The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers on Sunday to take the lead in the NFC South and move one win away from clinching a playoff berth.

3 days ago·United States

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abc11 Raleigh

Lean Left

Carolina Panthers grab control of NFC South with 23-20 win over Bucs

Bryce Young threw 2 touchdowns as the Panthers finally beat the Bucs 23-20 to take over first place in the NFC South

3 days ago·Raleigh, United States

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Sportskeeda

Center

“He's poor man's Kirk Cousins” “Went from stud to dud”: NFL fans flame Baker Mayfield as Bucs QB throws game costing INT in 23-20 loss vs. Panthers

Baker Mayfield threw a late interception that ended the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' comeback attempt in a 23-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

3 days ago

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Alabama Live

Center

Panthers top Bucs: ‘Bryce and the boys made some plays to keep us alive’

The Carolina Panthers gave themselves two chances to clinch the NFC South title and their first NFL playoff berth since 2017 by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on Sunday.

3 days ago·Alabama, United States

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