Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Network: FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: SIT
Baker Mayfield looks likely to be back for the Bucs in Week 7, but I’d like to wait a week before throwing him back into lineups. Mayfield had a 2:2 touchdown to interception ratio through his first three starts and faces a Panthers defense thats allowed just six passing touchdowns this season.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: START, RB1
Kenny Gainwell: FLEX, RB4
Sean Tucker: SIT
If there was ever a week for Bucky Irving to blow up, it’s this matchup with the Panthers. In Baker’s first game back from injury, I’d expect the Bucs to lean heavily on Bucky, who already ranks top 12 in carries and rushing yards per game. His 78% carry share is inside the top ten, and Carolina is a top five fantasy matchup, allowing 5.1 yards per carry, the most in the league. Kenny Gainwell is a FLEX-worthy dart throw simply due to the matchup.
Wide Receiver
Emeka Egbuka: START, WR3
Chris Godwin Jr.: FLEX, WR4
Ted Hurst III: SIT
Hopefully the return of Mayfield will mean better days are ahead for Emeka Egbuka and the rest of the Bucs receivers. Egbuka is getting the volume, averaging nearly 10 targets over his last three games, but Jalon Daniels just wasn’t a good enough passer to make much of anything happen. Chris Godwin is a low-end FLEX option with a limited ceiling and shaky floor, so only fire him up if you need a warm body. Carolina has held opposing wide receivers to the ninth-fewest points and only allowed two touchdowns to the position.
Tight End
Cade Otton: SIT
Cade Otton leads all tight ends with a 95% snap share, has zero touchdowns, and his targets have dropped every week.
Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: SIT
Carolina scores the fourth-most points per game and has turned it over just three times all year.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
I was admittedly hesitant at first, but it’s long time we give Bryce Young the credit he deserves as a week-in, week-out borderline QB1. Young hasn’t thrown fewer than 281 yards in any game and has just one without multiple touchdowns. Young ranks #1 in the league with 309.8 passing yards per game, and his 2.2 touchdowns per game ranks fifth. Strength meets strength against Tampa, as Young has only thrown two interceptions this season while Tampa has forced six, the sixth most in the NFL. It’s a difficult matchup as the Bucs are holding quarterbacks to the 10th fewest fantasy points per game, but he’s shown enough this season to be given the benefit of the doubt and started nearly everywhere.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: START, RB2
Handling 80% of the Panthers’ backfield snaps and averaging 20 touches a game, Chuba Hubbard is in a similar boat as his quarterback. The Bucs are no joke against the run, holding opponents to just 75.5 rushing yards per game (second-fewest) and 17.1 points per game (fourth-fewest). But considering the volume, the productivity, and the locked-in role that Hubbard has, he’s locked in your lineup.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR2
Jalen Coker: START, WR2
Brycen Tremayne: SIT
It’s easy to see why Young is having a career year when he has Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker to throw the ball to. Both are ballin’ out. Tet ranks top 10 in fantasy points, targets, receptions, reception yards, and red zone targets per game, while Coker ranks top 12 in receptions and deep targets per game, as well as yards per route run. Tampa gives up a ton of catches to receivers, allowing 12.5 per game (11th most). Both have plenty of room to eat in this offense, and both are high-end WR2s against the Bucs.
Tight End
Tommy Tremble: SIT
Tommy Tremble has scored two touchdowns this season. Both last week. On four targets. Tampa gives up the 10th-most points to tight ends, but chasing a gLoB‘s career day is how you get burned.
Defense/Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: STREAMER
Tampa Bay has taken the second-most sacks per game, and only three teams have more giveaways.