If you’re looking for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers score from their most recent outing, the number you need is 16-14. They beat the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Honestly, it was a weird one.
The game didn't have the high-flying fireworks fans expected when the season kicked off back in September. Instead, it was a rain-soaked, gritty struggle at Raymond James Stadium that perfectly mirrored the team’s rollercoaster year.
The Nitty Gritty of the Final Score
Tampa Bay walked away with a 16-14 victory, but let's be real—it felt a lot closer than that. The Bucs jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and looked like they were going to steamroll Bryce Young and the Panthers. Baker Mayfield connected with Cade Otton for an 18-yard touchdown early on, and Chase McLaughlin was basically the MVP of the afternoon, knocking through three field goals.
But then the rain started coming down harder.
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The ball got slick. Mayfield threw an interception. Suddenly, a comfortable lead turned into a fourth-quarter sweat-fest. Carolina clawed back to within two points after a late touchdown by Jalen Coker, and if it weren’t for a forced fumble by Benjamin Morrison on the final play of the game, we’d be talking about a very different result.
Key Stats from the Win:
- Final Score: Buccaneers 16, Panthers 14
- Baker Mayfield: 292 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Cade Otton: 6 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD
- Bucky Irving: 129 yards on 35 carries (absolute workhorse mode)
- Chase McLaughlin: 3/3 on FGs (29, 36, and 48 yards)
Why the Win Felt a Bit Empty
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers score tells you they won the game, but it doesn't tell you the season is over. That’s the kicker. Even though they clawed their way to an 8-9 record with this victory, they didn't make the playoffs.
It’s the first time since 2019 that Tampa won't be playing in the postseason.
The NFC South was a total mess this year. Atlanta, Carolina, and Tampa Bay all finished with 8-9 records. Because of the tiebreaker rules—specifically how the Falcons fared against common opponents and divisional records—the Buccaneers were the ones left out in the cold. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that started the season 5-1.
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The Mid-Season Collapse Nobody Expected
People are going to be talking about the 2025-2026 Buccaneers for a long time, and not for good reasons. After that 5-1 start, they looked like Super Bowl contenders. Then the wheels just... fell off.
Injuries were a massive factor.
Losing Cody Mauch for the season was a blow the interior line never recovered from. Then you had Mike Evans and Chris Godwin dealing with nagging issues, and suddenly the offense that looked unstoppable in October was struggling to put up 20 points in December.
Before this final win against Carolina, the Bucs had dropped two straight heartbreakers to the Dolphins and the Panthers (in their first meeting). Those losses were what really sealed their fate. You can't lose to your division rivals in late December and expect to be playing in January.
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What’s Next for the Bucs?
Now that the season is officially wrapped, the front office is already moving. We’ve already seen the team part ways with offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and several other assistants. Todd Bowles is staying put for now, but the seat is definitely getting warm.
The focus shifts immediately to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. The Bucs need to fix the interior of that offensive line if they want Baker Mayfield to stay upright long enough to find his targets. Speaking of Baker, he played through a lot of pain this year, and while his stats were decent, he lacked that "clutch" factor we saw during the 2024 run.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Track the Coaching Search: With the offensive coordinator spot open, keep an eye on who the Bucs interview. They need someone who can maximize the aging window of their veteran receivers.
- Check the 2026 Opponents: The schedule is already set. Since they finished second in the division, they'll face the second-place teams from the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC West next year. That means home games against both Los Angeles teams (Rams and Chargers) and a road trip to Dallas.
- Roster Evaluation: Watch for news on the interior offensive line. If the Bucs don't sign a veteran guard in the first week of free agency, expect them to go heavy on the O-line in the draft.
The 16-14 victory was a nice way to send the fans home happy on a rainy Saturday, but the work for next year has already begun.