A box score tells you who won. Player stats tell you why. When Carolina and Tampa Bay meet, the final margin has been tiny in recent years, so a single sack, a single dropped read or a single interception often decides which fan base goes home happy.
This guide collects the carolina panthers vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats that matter right now. You will find the numbers from the two 2025 meetings, the current form of each key player, the latest injury news before Sunday’s Week 7 game, and a head-to-head table that puts both rosters side by side.
One thing changed dramatically since last season: the standings have flipped. Carolina is the division favorite, while Tampa Bay is searching for answers. Let’s look at the numbers behind that shift.
Latest Updates Before Panthers vs Buccaneers in Week 7 (Sunday, October 25, 2026)
The NFC South rivals meet at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte this Sunday, and the context is very different from last year’s version of this rivalry.
Where Both Teams Stand
Carolina enters the game at 3-2 with a two-game winning streak. The Panthers’ latest result was a 25-14 road win over Philadelphia on October 18. Tampa Bay sits at 1-5 and in last place in the division after an overtime loss to Pittsburgh. Oddsmakers have the Buccaneers as road underdogs.
For context, Carolina won the NFC South in 2025 on a tiebreaker after three teams finished 8-9, which ended Tampa Bay’s four-year run as division champion. The Panthers then hosted the Rams in the wild-card round.
Quarterback Status: Mayfield’s Thumb and Young’s 50th Start
The biggest storyline is Baker Mayfield’s right thumb. He dislocated it in Week 3 against Minnesota and missed the next three games. He returned to practice as a full participant on Wednesday, but his status for Sunday was still unconfirmed when this article was updated.
In his absence, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels has started. He took five sacks while throwing for 164 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the Pittsburgh defeat.
On the other sideline, Bryce Young is preparing for his 50th career start. His name also appeared on the Panthers’ injury report with a knee designation, so check the final Friday status before locking in any fantasy or betting decision.
Roster Changes That Reshape the Matchup
Mike Evans, who spent twelve seasons in Tampa, signed with San Francisco this offseason. That removes the player who produced the loudest numbers against Carolina for over a decade. Rookie Emeka Egbuka now carries the heaviest load, and he saw 16 targets last week. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, he missed Wednesday’s practice with concussion and foot issues.
Other names on the Buccaneers’ initial report include tackle Luke Goedeke (calf), linebacker Christian Rozeboom (finger), running back Bucky Irving and cornerback Zyon McCollum (both illness). Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (rib) was limited.
Carolina’s list is shorter but includes edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) and Thomas Incoom (calf). Running back Chuba Hubbard, tackle Taylor Moton, linebacker Devin Lloyd and tight end Darren Waller were held out of Wednesday’s session for rest.
The teams meet again on Monday, November 30 at 8:15 p.m. ET in Tampa, so the second chapter of this year’s series is already circled on the calendar.
Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats From the Last Two Meetings
Before projecting anything, you need the baseline. The 2025 season produced a split, and both games came down to the final minutes.
Week 15 (December 21, 2025): Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20
Young delivered one of his cleanest games of the year: 191 passing yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Carolina took sole possession of first place with the win.
Mayfield completed 18 of 26 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown to Evans on the opening drive. Late in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay was driving to tie or win when a communication breakdown between Mayfield and Evans on second-and-9 produced a sliding interception by rookie safety Lathan Ransom with 42 seconds left. That single play ended Mayfield’s run of success against his former team.
Carolina also did this without left tackle Ickey Ekwonu, who was ruled out before kickoff.
Week 18 (January 3, 2026): Buccaneers 16, Panthers 14
The rematch in Tampa was just as tight, but this time the Buccaneers escaped. Mayfield finished 16 of 22 for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His touchdown was an 18-yard strike to tight end Cade Otton. He added 31 rushing yards on four carries and was sacked twice.
Young went 24 of 35 for 264 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Tetairoa McMillan led all receivers with 85 yards on four catches, Jalen Coker caught six passes for 47 yards, and Tommy Tremble scored on an 8-yard reception that followed a Rozeboom interception return of Mayfield’s pass intended for Egbuka.
The odd part of the box score was the ground game. Tampa Bay ran 42 times for 140 yards, while Carolina managed only 14 carries for 19 yards. Young attempted 35 passes because the Panthers could not run, and a late Jacob Parrish interception of a pass aimed at McMillan hurt the comeback attempt. Chase McLaughlin’s 48-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference.
Quarterback Stats: Bryce Young vs Baker Mayfield
Quarterback play remains the most important line in any Panthers-Buccaneers stat sheet. Here is how each passer has trended.
Bryce Young’s Numbers
Young’s 2025 meetings with Tampa Bay showed two sides of his game. In Week 15 he was efficient and mistake-free. In Week 18 he threw more, produced more yards and still lost because of one costly turnover and a stalled running game.
His 2026 form is the strongest evidence of growth. Against Philadelphia last Sunday he completed 20 of 39 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions, good for a 91.9 passer rating. He sent both touchdown throws to Tremble and also hit Coker for a 32-yard gain on a third-and-8 from his own 10. Carolina’s recent coverage has even highlighted how well Young performs when he targets receivers aligned wide.
He also led six game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime last season. That clutch profile matters when this rivalry tends to be decided late.
Baker Mayfield’s Numbers
Mayfield remains a dangerous quarterback against Carolina. By the Associated Press count, he entered the second 2025 game at 5-1 in his career against the Panthers, and the Week 18 win pushed that record to 6-1.
His efficiency in the Week 18 win (72.7 percent completions and 9.2 yards per attempt) shows what he can do when protected. The concern is his health. A dislocated thumb on his throwing hand can limit grip strength, velocity and ball security. If he plays, watch his sack total and his interceptions. If he sits, Daniels adds a rushing threat but has been sacked often and has struggled to protect the ball.
Rushing Stats: Hubbard Versus a Tampa Bay Backfield in Flux
Running back production has become one of the clearest dividing lines in the carolina panthers vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats.
Carolina’s Ground Game
Chuba Hubbard is playing the best football of his career. Against Philadelphia he carried 28 times for 120 yards and a touchdown, which was his ninth career 100-yard game. He also ran for 122 yards in Week 4 against Arizona. Hubbard played 94 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 6, so this is no longer a committee.
The caution flag is his rest designation on Wednesday. It looks like a precaution, but his workload makes it worth monitoring.
Tampa Bay’s Ground Game
Tampa Bay’s rushing picture is murkier. Irving was sidelined by illness in Wednesday’s practice, and Daniels has become the team’s second-leading rusher with 20 carries for 126 yards. That tells you two things: the Buccaneers value his legs, and the backfield lacks a clear bell cow right now.
The team ran effectively in the Week 18 win last season, but the 3.3 yards per carry on 42 attempts shows that volume covered up modest efficiency. Carolina’s run defense has been a bright spot, and head coach Dave Canales said this week that it is not getting enough credit.
Receiving Stats: Who Is Catching the Ball in 2026?
Panthers Pass Catchers
Tremble has become a reliable red-zone weapon, finding the end zone twice against the Eagles and once against Tampa Bay in January. McMillan is entering his second season and has already shown the ability to create explosive plays, as his 85-yard day in Week 18 proves. Coker works the intermediate and third-down areas, while Xavier Legette contributes as a possession option.
Buccaneers Pass Catchers
Egbuka is the new focal point after Evans’ departure. His 16 targets, seven catches, 48 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh show heavy volume with modest efficiency, which is common when a quarterback is struggling. Otton remains a trusted tight end, and his touchdown and third-down catches were critical in January. Reports also point to Chris Godwin and Hurst picking up more targets if Egbuka cannot play.
The Evans factor cannot be overstated. His long history of strong games against Carolina is now in the past, and Tampa Bay has not yet found a replacement who commands the same defensive attention.
Defensive Player Stats That Decided the Close Games
Turnovers shaped both 2025 meetings. Ransom’s interception sealed the Panthers’ Week 15 win, while Rozeboom’s 20-yard return and Parrish’s interception shifted field position in the Week 18 rematch. Winfield was also credited with a first-half play that prevented a bigger scoring opportunity in the Buccaneers’ earlier game against Carolina, and his rib issue is worth watching.
The Panthers’ pass rush is a major storyline for this Sunday. They recorded 10 quarterback hits against the Eagles, their most in a single game since 2022. Phillips and Lloyd are important parts of that front, but Phillips aggravated a hamstring injury, so Carolina’s depth will matter.
Tampa Bay’s defense has been inconsistent. Vita Vea (rest) and Calijah Kancey (illness) were limited on Wednesday. If either misses time, Carolina’s rushing attack with Hubbard gets even more dangerous.
Head-to-Head Player Stats Comparison Table
This table compares the most relevant players and categories using the 2025 meetings and 2026 form.
Player Comparison
| Category | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 record | 3-2 | 1-5 | Panthers |
| Starting QB | Bryce Young | Baker Mayfield (questionable) / Jalon Daniels | Panthers |
| Week 15 passing (2025) | 191 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT | 18/26, 145 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT | Panthers |
| Week 18 passing (2025) | 24/35, 264 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT | 16/22, 203 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT | Even |
| Latest 2026 passing | 20/39, 281 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT | Daniels: 164 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT | Panthers |
| Lead RB | Chuba Hubbard: 120 yds vs PHI | Bucky Irving (illness) / Daniels runs | Panthers |
| Week 18 team rushing (2025) | 14 att, 19 yds | 42 att, 140 yds | Buccaneers |
| Top receiver | Tetairoa McMillan | Emeka Egbuka (concussion) | Panthers |
| Standout tight end | Tommy Tremble | Cade Otton | Even |
| Pass rush | 10 QB hits vs PHI | Daniels sacked 5 times last week | Panthers |
| All-time series | Leads by roughly one game (26-25) | Won 6 of Mayfield’s 7 starts vs CAR | Even |
The series total can vary slightly depending on the source, so treat 26-25 as a close approximation instead of an official figure.
How to Read the Table
Carolina holds the edge in almost every 2026 category, but the 2025 results should keep Panthers fans humble. The Buccaneers won one game with a healthy Mayfield and a dominant ground attack, and they lost the other because of one late mistake. Tampa Bay’s roster is hurt and young at quarterback right now, yet the franchise has won many close games against Carolina over the past decade.
What the Numbers Say About Week 7 and the November 30 Rematch
Three patterns stand out from the carolina panthers vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats.
1. Quarterback health decides the matchup. If Mayfield plays at full strength, Tampa Bay has a legitimate chance. If he is limited or inactive, Carolina’s defense can be aggressive with pressure packages against a rookie.
2. Turnovers have been the tiebreaker. Both 2025 games were decided by one score, and both had pivotal interceptions. Whichever team protects the football on Sunday will likely control the result.
3. Carolina’s balance is real. The Panthers now have a passing game that supports Young and a back who can finish drives. In the Week 18 loss they had no ground game; in their recent wins they have had both.
For Week 7, the data lean toward Carolina at home, though a healthy Mayfield and a motivated Tampa Bay defense can keep this tight. For the Monday night rematch on November 30, the injury reports for both teams will matter far more than any season-long average.
Final Verdict
The latest carolina panthers vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats describe a rivalry that has changed direction. Tampa Bay controlled it for years, but Carolina now has the more stable quarterback situation, the more productive running back and the stronger recent form.
Still, one fact remains true: nothing in this series is easy. The last two meetings came down to a missed read and a single field goal. If Mayfield is on the field Sunday, expect another close one. If he is not, Carolina has a golden chance to take control of the division early.
Bookmark this page, because we will update the numbers after Sunday’s final whistle and again before the November 30 rematch.
