Bucs-Panthers Finale Will Be Saturday At 4:30 P.M.
December 28th, 2025
The Buccaneers’ historic choke job has earned them a showcase game in Week 18.
Tampa Bay (7-9) will host the Panthers (8-8) Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at The Licht House. The game was scheduled tonight.
It’s a winner-take-all affair if the Rams beat the sad Falcons tomorrow night. Otherwise, the Bucs, Falcons and Panthers could end in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South. In that scenario, the Bucs would have to beat the Panthers and hope the Falcons (6-9) don’t beat the Rams and Saints to close their season — because the Panthers would win the division if all three teams are tied at 8-9.
Joe is so glad to not have to wait until Sunday evening or late Sunday night to see what is the next chapter in this season’s Bucs nightmare.
Get it over with! And if the Bucs do win and make the playoffs, they’ll have the extra rest that comes with hosting a Saturday game.
December 28th, 2025 at 11:53 pm
Good, the Glazers can can Bowles Saturday night and get a 2 day jump over Artie Blank when he launches Rah.
December 28th, 2025 at 11:54 pm
The only way this season ends properly would be a blowout win against Carolina like 34-14, but the Falcons also win out and the Bucs miss the playoffs.
December 28th, 2025 at 11:56 pm
Launch Licht night
December 29th, 2025 at 12:03 am
Well I really want the Bucs to win cause I have supported this team since 97 and been through some crap. Something is wrong with this team and it has been that way since the beat down in Detroit. The lions broke something in this years Bucs team and I just don’t see it being fixed right now.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:03 am
Brian, Bowles is most likely fired if the Bucs lose. However there is still benefit from your scenario playing out. Better draft position and easier schedule.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:04 am
If the Bucs win next week, and the Rams win out, then the Bucs will face the Rams again.
If that happens, I wonder if Baker will fake another injury when he’s thrown for 13 yards and 2 INTs in the first half of the game?
December 29th, 2025 at 12:06 am
Rod Munch, I think the NFL would like the Rams travelling to Carolina for a “revenge” match which would be much more likely to draw viewers than the Bucs being 17 point underdogs at home to a Rams team which could have put 70+ on them if McVay did not call off the dogs.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:08 am
BucsFan81 Says:
December 29th, 2025 at 12:03 am
Well I really want the Bucs to win cause I have supported this team since 97 and been through some crap.
———-
So you’ve been here for all the golden years. My Bucs memory starts with the 82-83 playoff game vs the Cowboys, which they lost in a blow-out, that’s the first game I recall watching… then it was 15-years of losing, until 97.
If you think anything since 97 has been bad, go back to then – or even worse, go back to 76.
People wanting the team to lose when the playoffs are right there are nuts. They have no idea what is on the other side… where you go an entire childhood of talking about the draft at every Thanksgiving.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:08 am
LOLOLOL
Which team can be less pathetic?
December 29th, 2025 at 12:10 am
Okay so everyone at the game with me Saturday. We must boo the bricks off these mf’s every 3 and out, every 3rd down throw that is short of the sticks we have to bring it none stop
December 29th, 2025 at 12:11 am
Well I guess I can’t make it, I work Saturday mornings 3 states away
December 29th, 2025 at 12:11 am
“where you go an entire childhood of talking about the draft at every Thanksgiving.”
I mean, any kid who started watching the team in 09 or so also experienced that… but yes, we were even more pathetic in the 80s.
Raise the Flags slogan should be replaced with Raise Your Standards.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:11 am
FortMyersDave Says:
December 29th, 2025 at 12:06 am
Rod Munch, I think the NFL would like the Rams travelling to Carolina for a “revenge” match which would be much more likely to draw viewers than the Bucs being 17 point underdogs at home to a Rams team which could have put 70+ on them if McVay did not call off the dogs.
——–
Well if the Rams lose vs the Cards next week, then the Bucs could still get the 49ers or Seahawks. The Bucs, by far, match-up best with the 49ers, who still would likely win by double digits, but they might be able to keep that closer – and it’s the only match-up they have a chance at winning.
I wish things had worked out to face the Bears – they never win in Tampa, and watching them lose would be hilarious vs a ‘terrible’ Bucs team that got ‘lucky’… or the Eagles, beating them in the playoffs is always fun.
But the Rams… that’s a nightmare scenario for the Bucs, a game they’re cursed to lose in the playoffs for all of eternity.
Of course none of this matters unless the Bucs win vs the Panthers… and somehow the Bucs are currently 3 point favorites.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:12 am
I have tickets in 122 for sale
December 29th, 2025 at 12:12 am
Falcons could win both their games and put Bucs fans out of their misery!
December 29th, 2025 at 12:13 am
My RSVP is “will not attend”
December 29th, 2025 at 12:17 am
unbelievable Says:
December 29th, 2025 at 12:11 am
“where you go an entire childhood of talking about the draft at every Thanksgiving.”
I mean, any kid who started watching the team in 09 or so also experienced that… but yes, we were even more pathetic in the 80s.
——–
That’s not true. In 2010 the Bucs should have made the playoffs, so you’d have to start in 2011 really – and even then you still had a 9-7 year in there. But 83-94 literally covers my entire childhood and all my teen years, and every one of those years they had double digit loses. 95 they finally had a 7 win season, then in 96, they went backwards a bit, before finally breaking through in 97.
Also as a kid, one year seems like 3 or 4 years as an adult, so it felt even longer.
But I’d still wear my orange Bucs jacket or jersey to school every Monday, and you’ll never believe it from this message board, but I’d talk non-stop trash with anyone that said anything, and I always won as I always got the last word. A tradition I carry through to today.
December 29th, 2025 at 1:12 am
This team and coach a disgrace
December 29th, 2025 at 2:33 am
Then the Tood Bwoleszo error needs to be over at 9am Sunday morning.
December 29th, 2025 at 3:06 am
Thank god I work. Don’t have to watch the game, Toilet Bowles will be fired, and I can make some money. See you all in free agency! God bless! I just can’t stomach the thought of winning, making the playoffs while losing 7 of 8 games. I’d love to make it. We don’t deserve to be in the playoffs this year. Carolina may not be great, they’re far more deserving of it. Plus Carolina beating Atlantan was the reason we made the playoffs last year. We kind of owe them one.
December 29th, 2025 at 4:07 am
oh so in essence it’s a short week…
the team can all hop on the short bus, during a short week, for a short ride, from the facility to the stadium…
#ShortBusLife
December 29th, 2025 at 5:06 am
So glad it’s on Saturday too, and later in the afternoon.
Rod, your comment about being a Bucs fan was heartwarming. Brought tears to my eyes reading your real love for the Bucs. That is what it is all about being a fan. Through the good times and bad times. Go Bucs!
December 29th, 2025 at 6:47 am
Complete the job….. lose
December 29th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Finally a smattering of good news. For two reasons:
1. This dreadful slow death season will end sooner than later.
2. If we magically happen to win, they’ll have extra time to rest.
December 29th, 2025 at 8:22 am
Buc fan since ’79 (too young in ’76 to remember the expansion years) – however, if you were to pay ME $2,000, with a limo ride to the stadium, 50-yard line seats, free food and drinks, and a ride back home in that same limo….I’d pass!
There is NO WAY I’d sit there in the cold and watch Carolina celebrate in our stadium. We are the worst team in football right now and reading how people are figuring ‘who is our best opponent in the playoffs’ is crazy to me. We can’t beat Tennessee right now.
Being at the game and suffering through a loss isn’t how I want to spend my Saturday night. On to 2026 – this season has truly sucked (although growing up in the 80s, we would have killed for seven wins – this would be like a Super Bowl season for us).
December 29th, 2025 at 8:25 am
Either way draft a,QB. With NIL and,graduate school these kids,are playing 4-7 years now factoring in red shirts and injuries. Much more Pro ready. Plus offer Bowles,a golden parachute retirement package.
December 29th, 2025 at 8:25 am
Anyone remembers beating the Lions in ’81 for the division title in the Silverdome (best birthday ever as a kid)…….then getting destroyed a week later by Dallas 38-0. A year later Dallas also beat us, but we didn’t lose ‘as bad’ so a lot of us fans were actually happy.
After that – Williams left and years and years and years of losing until ’97. Anyone who’s a fan AFTER ’97 missed out on some sad years for sure.
December 29th, 2025 at 8:31 am
And the true 2025 finale will occur three hours after kickoff. What a waste of talent
December 29th, 2025 at 8:32 am
Sweet! Embarrassed on national TV, AGAIN! Thanks TODD!
December 29th, 2025 at 8:36 am
Rod Munch, I have a different opiion of Baker Mayfield than you. I feel he was in the running for MVP during the first half of the season, so that proves he has the potential to be great.
Whether his decline is due to personal injury, confidence in his piecemail offensive line (rightfully), or whether he is subconsciously or consciously tanking to get Bowles fired (like the rest of the team), I don’t know.
Even so, it’s possible I am wrong and you are right. Therefore, I suggest the following:
🏈 Baker Mayfield has another year on his contract. The Bucs have to pay him regardless, so keep him another year.
🏈 Option 1: If ever there is a need to trade up in the draft for a QB this is the time. It will cost a fortune, but it’s an investment that has to be made…it doesn’t have to be the first pick, so long as it is the right pick.
🏈 Option 2: The other expensive way: a proven veteran elite QB…but that would be very hard because none of them would want a true competition. This would mean eating the cost of cutting Baker…and there may not be a better QB available as a free agent.
🏈 Option 3: Trade for a QB. This is a possibility. If we can get a top QB without injury issues and can include Baker as part of the deal, AND work out a new deal with the new QB, it could solve the issue…but no team is going to give up a sure thing unless they havve extreme cap issues.
Of the three I lean toward Option 1.
Have a true QB competition between Baker and a high draft pick.
Going this route will mean we can’t spend our first or second round pick on pass rush though. The fans would have to accept that.
And ABOVE ALL: we need an offensive head coach. My desire is Matt Nagy.
December 29th, 2025 at 8:41 am
First dumpster to put out their flames wins
December 29th, 2025 at 8:55 am
We are the JV game before the varsity.
December 29th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Bowles disgusts me but I have to admit I’m ill be scarred of the glazers don’t fire Bucs win Saturday and make the playoffs. People need to realize that is a real possibility
December 29th, 2025 at 9:39 am
Having watched this team since it’s inception I can say that for the Bucs to NOT make the playoffs would be a mercy killing. Mercy on the fans who put up hope only to see it dashed. I want them to win out but I just don’t see it happening. And I have a little thing called pride, which has been shot since the bye week, the team is, as is the whole division, a national joke, just like they were for the 0-26 start. That is what is hard to look at. If it’s hard as a fan to take it where is the pride of the players? They are the ones everyone is laughing at, I would be pissed if I was part of that group, fighting mad about it.
December 29th, 2025 at 11:01 am
To all the hysterical girls who whine on these posts,Tom Brady 3 full years Tampa Bay QB 33INT……..Baker Mayfield almost 3 full years TBay QB 36 INT including at least 3 that I remember were just stripped from receivers after catch was made. Not going to play QB in the NFL without INT’s. Mayfield made a couple of bad picks yesterday. Bucs never get any turnovers and let a rookie 7th round pick light them up yesterday in the first half.
December 29th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Great. The sooner the better. Go Panthers. The Glazers can fire Bowles immediately following the game.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
Who cares?? Neither team deserves to be in the playoffs!! The only way I would attend this game is if the Glazers announce Todd Bowles will be fired at its conclusion!!
December 29th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai – I wouldn’t be unhappy with your options with other QB options to at least compete, but personally I think you just play out the last year. It is worth remembering how the early season went though, outside of the Seattle game, Baker wasn’t playing that well outside of late in games. Of course that’s not a slight, you want your QB to play well in the 4th quarter and win games, but when people talked about MVP, it was about the comebacks. But the reason the Bucs were coming back was because Baker wasn’t generally very good in quarters 1-3 – and that’s not knocking him, a lot of that had to do with all the injuries. But Baker falling flat on his face the last 2+ months is because he is what he is, a very inconsistent QB who is streaky, and if he gets hot, then he can look really good. But when he’s not, he’s not.
As for Naggy, I have no idea what your infatuation with the guy is all about. His teams in Chicago were as soft as they get, and that team got worse every year he was there. He would not be on my list of coaching candidates.
December 29th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
Munch,
Get lost. Mayfield playing with a jv line, his own injury, and some really absurd play calling by Grizz. Just keep pounding Bucky into the line on 1st and 2nd down, throw WR passes behind scrimmage line, and in short bog down the offense. When Mayfield doesn’t have to wait for a headset call and can just go into a hurry up mode, things start happening in terms of moving the ball. Grizz offense is plodding and predictable.
December 29th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
If the falcons beat the rams(which is highly doubtful) it will really make this weekend nerve racking. Because if the bucs beat the panthers and falcons beat the saints the panthers still win the division.
December 29th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
All this playoff talk around the Bucs is crazy. A team that has laid down vs the likes of the Saints, Falcons and Dolphins and can’t score more than 20 points in a passing league against teams that have bad passing defenses have no shot at being in the playoffs. Buc fans can hope but unless Grizzard immediately stops being predictable running Bucky on 1st and 2nd down with his less than 3 yard per carry average and unless Bowlesls can fire up his defense to stop passers from torching our secondary for those easy scores then this team isn’t going to be in the playoffs.
Of course Baker Mayfield would help if he would just start throwing the ball away. For all of his first down run heroics in 2nd and 3rd quarters, in the 4th quarter when the Bucs have gotten the ball back in 3 or 4 of these loses his instinct to run is causing him to take sacks. He is also telegraphing who he is throwing to. Godwin has been wide open on some of his interceptions. Probably because he can’t see over the defensive linemen. He is really short for an NFL QB.
December 29th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Tye Says:
December 29th, 2025 at 12:12 am
Falcons could win both their games and put Bucs fans out of their misery!
Bingo… Rams are locked as 6th seed wildcard. They will rest their starters much of today and probably all of next week since these games are worthless to them. They are already preparing for the 3rd seed Eagles. Atlanta and got a prove it Kirk Cousins will beat Rams and Saints. Bucs chances for playoffs are already down toilet.
December 29th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Let’s see. Three bad teams vying for the top spot in the toilet division in the NFC.Hmmm
What is that smell 😳 👀
December 30th, 2025 at 1:54 am
Falcons 27 – 24 Rams
Now we have to watch the Saints @ Falcons on Sunday.
LOL