Update On Bucs’ Week 18 Home Game
December 22nd, 2025
Yes, the Bucs likely will play for the NFC South crown in the season finale against Carolina. That game will be played in two weeks at The Licht House, though the date and time have yet to be scheduled.
Joe has been fielding questions from fans about when that game might be played. In fact, no Week 18 game across the NFL has been scheduled. So it could be Saturday, Jan. 3, or it could be Sunday, Jan. 4.
The Bucs could be eliminated from the postseason if the Panthers beat Seattle on Sunday and the Bucs lose to Miami. But that’s the only combination that would make the Bucs-Panthers clash in Week 18 meaningless.
And if the game has meaning, it’s very likely to be given a prime time slot.
Per the NFL, in Week 18, two games will be played on Saturday (4:30 PM ET and 8:00 PM ET) with the remainder to be played on Sunday afternoon (1:00 PM ET and 4:25 PM ET), or Sunday night (8:20 PM ET). Specific dates, start times, and networks for Week 18 matchups will be determined and announced following the conclusion of Week 17.
So Bucs fans will have to wait another six or seven days for an announcement on the season finale.
Joe is hoping for the Saturday slot at 4:30 p.m. Get it over with. And if the Bucs win, then they would have maximum rest before hosting a playoff game against a damn good football team.
December 22nd, 2025 at 1:35 pm
I was hoping the update was that they canceled the game
December 22nd, 2025 at 1:41 pm
Can’t say it’s likely we’ll beat Miami, but I agree the Seahawks will probably beat the Panthers
December 22nd, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Bucs vs Carolina will be a regional 1 pm game only shown in a few markets because no one give a crap about these teams
December 22nd, 2025 at 1:51 pm
It all boils down to winning the next two games. If they do I don’t see them getting past the first playoff game. Too many issues must be addressed in the draft and free agency.
Belichek would be a good choice and a culture wakeup for the team. Complacency will stop under his leadership. It will be WALKING THE PLANK with him.
December 22nd, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Does anyone on this team besides Mike Evans have the talent to raise their level of play these next 2 games? We’ll see
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:04 pm
I would be very surprised if Carolina beats Seattle at this point.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Ugh, still going with “the Licht House” moniker? Those types of nicknames should be reserved for those that are revered, not GMs with career wining percentages below .500 and that can only succeed when having the GOAT on their roster.
He’s looking more like a fraud with every passing week.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Please stop with the Belicheat talk.
That’s just some kind of septuagenarian March/December reality show making garbage that we don’t need.
Then again, it is the Tampa area so it just might work.
The trailer parks would be vibrant!
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Don’t really care at this point. If we do win the division, we get embarrassed at home by whoever we play in the playoffs. Fire Bowles today. I’d rather promote Baker to player/head coach than see Toilet Bowls on the sidelines again. At least we’d have a fired up coach for a couple games.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:12 pm
So Joe, my question is, I am confident Seattle will beat Carolina and Miami will beat the Bucs so what importants will the last game be under those scenario?
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:14 pm
I cant tell you what will happen between Carolina and Seattle but the Panthers losing to Seahawks is not a given, especially considering Carolina has beaten some good teams, namely the Rams and Packers. So Bucs better pray Seattle travels well this weekend and somehow Bucs get the W to force a winner takes all in week 18. One thing for sure, we suck in primetime. Honestly, have ZERO confidence in this team. NONE. ZIP. NADDA. Wouldnt surprise me at at all if Carolina wins on Sunday, Bucs lose and week 18 is meaningless.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Perhaps this tailspin was manufactured by the Goodell NYC NFL Complex in a conspiracy to create some drama & appeal for week 17 game(s). Bucs can’t play in 4th quarters? Something’s up with Baker Mayfield? Our defense is softer than fog over Howard Franklin bridge? THAT’S WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO BELIEVE!!!!
Think about it, man.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:18 pm
I was torturing myself watching the replay of the game yesterday and I noticed when Baker scrambled for 30 yards in the fourth quarter the sideline did not erupt. Nobody was excited. No one congratulated him and he ran right next to the bench. Has he lost the team? Also him and Mike appeared to be on different planets on that last interception the exact opposite of Bryce Young and TMAC who are playing like real football players
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:21 pm
mj, he has not lot the team. The team is demoralized. They losing has set in. They believe that they are done. They are losers in their own mind.
That’s why a change is going to come.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:22 pm
Yawn
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Running on every first down play in the first half, kicking the ball into the end zone and giving the opponent the ball at the 35 as opposed to covering the kick. These are strategies for losers. Is it filtering down to the team?
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:34 pm
Does anyone really think we’ll beat Miami? Quinn Ewers will look like Dan Marino out there. All a struggling QB needs is a good dose of Bowles defense, then all their troubles will be cured!!
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Fire Todd
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Who cares?! This is a pathetic, lifeless team! We’re back to the dark ages.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:46 pm
Saturday at 1:00 PM
End this sheet show !
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:50 pm
WHY WOULD ANYONE ON THIS PLANET ASSUME WE CAN BEAT THE DOLPHINS AT THIS POINT.
BUCS CIRCA 2008. THE FRANCHISE WILL BE GUTTED IN JANUARY. THE ONLY PERSON WHO *MIGHT* BE SAFE IS LICHT. *MIGHT* AND TO BE HONEST I’M STRUGGLING TO SEE THE BENEFIT OF KEEPING HIM AROUND KNOWING A NEW REGIME WILL WANT THEIR OWN GUY.
YES, I AM YELLING.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:50 pm
I care!
I want this over as soon as possible, if we keep seeing the same effortless output from players and coaches.
Please stop the bleeding already.
And let’s go BuCs!!!!!!
Inspired ChAnGe!!!!
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:52 pm
I hope they lose out to solidify Bowles’s departure. And better draft picks. I really don’t have to hope. This entire team has thrown in the towel weeks ago. And boy does it show. Bowles and his entire staff need to be gone. Also about 3/4 of the players on this so called NFL team.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Hopefully Miami puts them out of their misery
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:53 pm
I’ll be surprised if they beat the Fins
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Don’t be surprised if Miami tanks for draft position. They took a pretty good whipping from thee Bengals.
December 22nd, 2025 at 2:59 pm
This assumption that either we beat the fins or Carolina loses to the Seahawks is a bit premature. We could be eliminated by next week. Sadly I think the odds are better that we are eliminated before week 18 than they are we get in the playoffs at this point.
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Todd will have to let Rams win another matchup. He owes them one for calling mercy in the second quarter to keep from getting embarrassed and humiliated in front of everyone. It was a mutual respectful agreement among the coaches and players. We’re going for it on 4th down in our own territory because we’re down 3 scores. If we fail to convert spare some mercy and we owe you one. That’s exactly how it went down. I saw the squint in his eye and Rams took the foot of the gas.
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Lavonte’s final meaningful game in his hometown!!!! he will retire!!! he has seen a lot of bad defense’s but this team is awful!!! Hope not but us fans can see the light, I give up!!! Go Bucs
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:01 pm
“I was torturing myself watching the replay of the game yesterday and I noticed when Baker scrambled for 30 yards in the fourth quarter the sideline did not erupt. Nobody was excited.”
No confidence
The least you can do
can’t throw picks on a scramble drill
also why Evans was trying to clear the lane on that happy feet INT
who knows, and quite frankly who cares?
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:01 pm
This has been a million times worse than the 2008 or 2011 collapse
2008: 9-3 to 9-7
2011: 4-2 to 4-12
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm
I have seen nothing that suggests the Bucs can beat Miami or Carolina. I vote for a Saturday game so the Glazers can fire Bowles and the rest of his staff before Sunday.
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Bucs better beat Miami if they want week 18 to mean something.
I’m not convinced the Seahawks travel cross country and win in Carolina. Not like the Panthers can’t beat good teams after taking out the Packers and Rams.
Let’s see how Macdonald and his staff gameplan. Do they worry about Darnold throwing a couple more picks or does JSN have a 8-125-1 line?
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:06 pm
If the Glazers print up the pink slips on Mylar they can hand them out in the showers after the game. Why wait?
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Licht was about to be run out of town in 2018…
From Martin Fennelly, ( there’s a blast from the past) on 2018..” The 2008-18 Bucs employed the indomitable Bruce Allen as Gruden’s chief slime ball. And here’s a fun fact: If the 2018 Bucs finish 6-10, Bucs GM Jason Licht will have the same exact five-year record, 28-52, as Mark Dominik, who preceded Licht as GM.”
And this.. sound familiar?
Key Criticisms in 2018 & Surrounding Years:
Subpar Record: The team finished 5-11 in 2018, extending a playoff drought.
Draft Woes:
M.J. Stewart (2018 2nd round): A major bust, drafted for toughness but lacked necessary athleticism, according to Pewter Report.
Roberto Aguayo (2016 2nd round): A notorious second-round kicker pick that failed spectacularly and haunted his tenure, notes ProFootballRumors.com and Bucs Wire.
Coaching Carousel: Firing Lovie Smith and promoting Dirk Koetter led to more struggles, with Koetter also eventually fired, notes ProFootballRumors.com.
Lack of Depth: Difficulty finding reliable veteran depth, relying too much on unproven youth, noted Reddit.
And that really doesn’t even scratch the surface of his draft blunders.
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:11 pm
Smarter than Joe. Hope Miami puts them out of their misery I just want to be put out of my misery 😣😣. I sat in the rain at that NO game in misery as the Bucs play one of their worst games this year and the follow up of the last 2, ATL and yesterday Carolina. Frustrating, frustrating can’t get to the end of the season so I am out of that MISERY
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:12 pm
4 or 5 wide and start slinging it ,,, score 30 plus the next 2 games and let the chips fall where they may,,,
And a message for the Bucs coaching staff from our Lightning Stanley cup winning coach Torts , “Safe is death”
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:12 pm
It is not a guarantee that the Bucs will beat the Dolphins. Panthers will probably win the division. The Bucs should let Baker loose and play like jameis winston forget about intercepts. At least it is fun to watch. Let the Bucs’s ship going down with dignity and let the fans have some fun with it.
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:15 pm
I HAVE INSIDE INFORMATION THAT BUCS LEADERSHIP WILL BE ASSIGNING A CAPTAIN’S “C” TO JPP’S JERSEY FOR THE DOLPHINS GAME.
LET THAT SINK IN.
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:22 pm
If the Panthers were to win the Seahawks, and we win Miami, that Sunday game will be huge. Either way, this will be an important game. A lot of ifs and it is confusing though.
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:24 pm
You looking past Miami, the way Tampa is playing, I see a 7-10 season, and Carolina might just catch Seattle sleeping
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:28 pm
BUCSONDECK if you have inside info–what are they doing about firing todd bowles?
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Tom Brady Stadium
Licht house? career loser? no thanks
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:42 pm
I feel asleep during the last drive didn’t miss anything
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:49 pm
CAR beats Seattle and MIA beat the bucs…game will be on Saturday at 430pm
remember, CAR dominated the RAMS and the bucs beat the hawks lol…
take that for what its worth lol
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:49 pm
We don’t care about Buc chances for playoffs anymore. WE WANT TODD BOWLES GONE YESTERDAY!!!
December 22nd, 2025 at 3:49 pm
We don’t care about Buc chances for playoffs anymore. WE WANT TODD BOWLES GONE YESTERDAY
December 22nd, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Hope it’s a prime time game. We all know how well the Bucs play when the lights come on. Seriously, just lose, and end this nightmare.
December 22nd, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Poopy has been talking with his good friend and we are now Jags fans, DUVALLLLLLLLLLL
December 22nd, 2025 at 5:03 pm
Holding my breath in anticipation
It’s enough we let these clowns steal our time and sense of hope – thank God I don’t spend money on this garbage
December 22nd, 2025 at 6:49 pm
The sooner we can fire Bowles the better. I wouldn’t exactly be shocked though if the Bucs lost to Miami and the kittens found a way to beat Seattle. They did beat the Rams so anything is possible.
December 22nd, 2025 at 7:35 pm
“ The Bucs could be eliminated from the postseason if the Panthers beat Seattle on Sunday and the Bucs lose to Miami.”
Whatever people may think about outcome odds, this is the most likely scenario for this weekend. 2nd is both teams losing. Unless the Dolphins come out starting their 3rd stringers across the board (very intentional throwing the game), the Bucs are very likely to lose this game.
December 22nd, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Trevor Says:
December 22nd, 2025 at 7:35 pm
“ The Bucs could be eliminated from the postseason if the Panthers beat Seattle on Sunday and the Bucs lose to Miami.”
Whatever people may think about outcome odds, this is the most likely scenario for this weekend.
——–
The stupid Panthers aren’t beating Seattle.
More concerning is the fact that the Panthers can lose out, and still make the playoffs if the Bucs lose vs the Dolphins AND the Falcons win out, creating a three way 8-9 tie that gives the 3-way tie breaker to the Panthers.
December 22nd, 2025 at 9:32 pm
This is ridiculous. Bucs won’t beat Miami even with their Junior high school QB. He’ll throw for 300+ yards. Baker will try to overcompensate and throw picks reminiscent of the Jameis days. Meanwhile Canales will have his undermanned team up to the challenge and beat Seattle. Bucs will be eliminated by the time this game rolls around in less than two weeks.
Please.
Wake up and smell the dung.
December 22nd, 2025 at 9:45 pm
I so much like the fans back in the day when I started rooting for the Bucs in 79’ then today’s fans. We rooted for them no matter what happened. Now it’s what have you done for me lately. Go Bucs!
December 22nd, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Bucs beat Miami 20 to 17. Carolina thrashes the Bucs 44 to 10 and Bowles is fired on Monday! Can’t wait!
December 22nd, 2025 at 10:38 pm
The Gizzard won’t score 20 against Miami and Bwoles will allow at least 30 against the Dead Fish. I agree that Bsloew will be fired but not before he loses both games to complete the humiliation.
December 22nd, 2025 at 10:53 pm
This team under the current coaching malaise is operating at half speed in all phases. On game day. It’s obvious Loewbszo runs practice to prepare his players to go out and suck.
December 22nd, 2025 at 11:55 pm
That game will not be at 4:30 on Saturday, not enough national interest. It will probably be in a late Sunday slot with the Fix C oir D broadcast team to insure that Carolina (or possibly Tampa) are at a rest disadvantage compared with the NFC wildcard team which will get the #5 seed after playing in the Saturday slot…….
December 23rd, 2025 at 12:00 am
I actually agree with Jeff on the wins and losses. I bet the loss will be more of a close loss to Carolina though. Bucs lead 23-9 in the 4th and Todd goes turtle on O and soft zone D. the game goes to OT and two things happen: the Bucs give up a TD on a zero blitz explosive play and Baker throws a pick (either order). Bowles “retires” a few days later after refusing to fire a majority of his coaching staff and is named as a team “consultant” as the Bucs try to outbid the Giants, ATL, Titans, Cards, Browns and raiders for the top HC candidates.
December 23rd, 2025 at 1:26 am
Aqualung Says:
December 22nd, 2025 at 9:32 pm
This is ridiculous. Bucs won’t beat Miami even with their Junior high school QB. He’ll throw for 300+ yards. Baker will try to overcompensate and throw picks reminiscent of the Jameis days.
——–
I’ll gladly take a 38-35 loss where he puts up 380 yards, 4 TDs and 2 INTs over a day where he’s putting up 122 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT and people then blame the defense for the loss.
December 23rd, 2025 at 5:47 am
Does anyone really expect THIS team to win again this year…I sure don’t!!
December 23rd, 2025 at 6:00 am
Come on Joe. The Licht House, please stop. I understand that local media has to walk a fine line when dealing with the home team but this constant over blown praise for the current GM has grown stale. This is a great source of Buc insider info but man the Licht nonsense is way overblown. If you seriously look at the draft classes as a whole it is not a pretty picture. Sure the Bucs have a few serviceable pieces, barely. The question is, where are the consistent big impact players. It is not difficult to fill your roster with all your draft picks, pat yourself on the back and go play mediocre football. If the Bucs were in any other division Licht would be working in TV by now.
December 23rd, 2025 at 6:59 am
“We don’t care about Buc chances for playoffs anymore. WE WANT TODD BOWLES GONE YESTERDAY!!”
F A C T.
December 23rd, 2025 at 1:04 pm
FIRETHECANNONS
Our DC/HC is so bad, satire is no longer apparent.