The last weekend of the 2025-26 NFL regular season is here, and it started with a game that could decide the NFC South champion.
The Carolina Panthers are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. Right now, neither team is in playoff contention, but the Panthers, at 8-8, are leading the NFC South, while the Buccaneers trail at 7-9.
A win for the Panthers would mark their first division title since 2015 and their first playoff appearance in eight years. However, just winning in Tampa Bay wouldn’t be enough for the Buccaneers to take first place; they also need the Saints to beat the Falcons on Sunday.
Panthers vs. Buccaneers: Key Information
- When: January 3rd at 4:30 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
- Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida
- Channel: ESPN, ABC
- Streaming: DIRECTV (Free trial available)
If you want to watch the Panthers vs. Buccaneers game today without cable, there are options available.
Game Schedule
The game is set to begin at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Watching for Free
If you lack cable, you can check out various live TV streaming services. DIRECTV, for instance, offers a 5-day free trial that includes both ESPN and ABC. After the trial, you can subscribe for over 90 live channels starting at $49.99 a month.
If you’re hesitant about committing, consider the Sling TV orange one-day pass for $4.99, which gives you access for 24 hours, including ESPN. Sling also has longer options for 3 to 7 days.
Manning Cast Tonight?
Interestingly, tonight’s Manning cast won’t air during the Panthers-Buccaneers game. Peyton and Eli will be wrapping up their season on ESPN2 by hosting the second game, which features the Seahawks and the 49ers.
NFL Playoff Schedule
- Wildcard Round: January 10th to 12th (6 games)
- Division Round: January 17th-18th (4 games)
- Conference Championship: January 25th (2 games)
- Pro Bowl Game: February 3rd
- Super Bowl LX: February 8th
