Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Things are looking up for Baker Mayfield. He had his first multi-touchdown game against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football and now has arguably the deepest receiver corps in the league with the return of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. Mayfield wasn’t great against Atlanta, completing just 56% of his pass attempts. Facing a Panthers defense allowing just 15.3 fantasy points per game to the position, Mayfield is best left for Superflex leagues. But with each passing week, he, Evans, and McMillan should get healthier (Mayfield is dealing with a non-throwing shoulder injury) and more in sync, where this offense could really pop off.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: START, RB2
Rachaad White: SIT
Sean Tucker: SIT
If you told me that when Bucky Irving returned from injury, he’d handle nearly 55% of the team’s carries with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker around 15% and Irving had the most targets of the trio, I’d expect close to 20-point performances in all three of those games. But the problem is, even though Tucker has a small piece of the pie, he has the part that’s covered in bacon. Sweet, sweet bacon. Irving has scored in two of three games, but it’s Tucker who’s been subbed in at the goal line, handling 100% of the goal line carries and stealing scores that rightfully belong to Bucky. The talent and touches keep Irving in the RB1 conversation, but as long as Tucker is taking the touchdowns, Bucky’s at the back end of the tier and profiles more as a high-end RB2.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans: START, WR2
Emeka Egbuka: START, WR3
Chris Godwin Jr.: FLEX, WR4
JalenMcMillan: SIT
So that whole thing about Mike Evans seeing limited snaps and only playing on important downs? Yeah, that was a bunch of baloney. I guess technically he only played about 60% of the snaps, but he was hypertargeted by Mayfield, catching 6 of 12 for 132 yards. As the Bucs make a playoff push, I expect that to continue and keep Evans right around the borderline WR1/WR2 range. Emeka Egbuka had his best game in five weeks, even with the slightly suppressed target share. The offense as a whole should be improved, as while the rookie won’t see quite as heavy a target share, his explosiveness makes him a high-end WR3 with weekly WR1 upside. Chris Godwin got into the end zone for the first time this season and has now scored 10+ points in three straight games. He’s no longer a top-two option on the team, but he’s a solid FLEX play as he seems to be getting closer and closer to pre-injury form. Jalen McMillan will have some sporadic spike games, but he’s the odd man out and not worth the gamble.
Tight End
Cade Otton: SIT
He couldn’t break double digits when the receiving room wasn’t healthy. What do you think’s gonna happen now?
Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: STREAMER
The Bucs DST is on the streamer radar, as they rank top 10 in turnovers forced with a respectable 33 sacks on the season.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
Bryce Young is playing much better as of late, and although he’s not putting up video game numbers, he’s still averaging eight touchdowns over his last four starts and the highest QBR over his last three. He dropped a beautiful pass right in the breadbasket to hit Jalen Coker in stride for a 32-yard touchdown against the Saints.
Bryce Young to Jalen Coker for a 32-yard TD!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/LhokLYJFT7
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 14, 2025
You couldn’t ask for a better matchup, either. Tampa has given up 19 touchdowns to quarterbacks in its past six games. I’ll stop short of saying he’s a start in 1QB leagues, but against a Bucs defense that gives up the third most points to the position, Young’s an auto start in Superflex.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: START, RB2
Chuba Hubbard: FLEX, RB3
Trevor Etienne: SIT
Even though the split has shifted closer to 60/40 than it was mid-season, Rico Dowdle is the back you want in Carolina. Dowdle has 100% of the goal line work over their past three games and is outcarrying Chuba Hubbard 40 to 28. The Bucs have given up at least one score to running backs in five of their last six games, and if one of them gets in the end zone, my money’s on Dowdle.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR2
Jalen Coker: FLEX, WR4
Xavier Legette: SIT
Tetairoa McMillan is still the alpha receiver on the team, but Jalen Coker has scored in two straight and is showing why so many were high on him coming into the season. Over the Panthers’ last three games, McMillan and Coker have an identical 17.8% target share, with Coker accounting for 31.2% of the team’s air yards, second to only Tet’s 42.9% share. Both are in play against Tampa, but the Bucs haven’t allowed a touchdown reception to a receiver since Week 12. To add another wrinkle, McMillan missed Wednesday’s practice with a foot/ankle injury he sustained last week. Keep an eye on his status for the next two days.
Tight End
Tommy Tremble: SIT
Yes, Tampa Bay is a top-five fantasy matchup for tight ends.
No, you are not starting Tommy Tremble.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: STREAMER
The Panthers are tied with multiple teams at 12 interceptions (sixth-most) and have seven sacks over their last two games.