Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 26, 2026

NFL Picks And Predictions Week 13: Panthers Vs. Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Carolina Panthers and rookie Cam Newton. Who do the experts think will win?

Getty Images

Rookie quarterback Cam Newton heads to Tampa Bay to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and tries to to pick up another win for the Carolina Panthers.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated likes the Bucs to win a close one.

Carolina Panthers (3-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Who'd have thought Carolina would be a game behind Tampa Bay in December, and Cam Newton would have more yards and a better rating and touchdown-to-interception ratio than Josh Freeman? Certainly not me. The game's at the Pirate Ship, or else I'd be picking the Panthers.

Of all of the ESPN experts, only Chris Mortenson thinks that the Panthers can come away with a win.

Pete Schrager of FOX Sports likes the Panthers to win.

Carolina at Tampa Bay: Cam Newton needs just 647 yards passing over the next five games to break Peyton Manning's single-season passing mark for a rookie. He could pick up half of them against the Bucs in Tampa on Sunday. Newton, still my pick for NFL Rookie of the Year, got the first road win of his career last week in Indianapolis. He'll scoop up his second against the deflated Bucs. Quick question, while we're at it - which third-year quarterback's taken a bigger step backward this season: Josh Freeman or Mark Sanchez? I might have to go with the former. Freeman's been terrible this year.
The Pick: Panthers 31, Buccaneers 23

Over at CBS Sports, only Pete Prisco and Clarke Judge pick the Bucs to win.

For more on the Panthers head over to Cat Scratch Reader. For more on the Buccaneers, check out Bucs Nation.

See More:

More in NFL

NFL
NFL breakout candidates at every position in 2026NFL breakout candidates at every position in 2026
NFL

A team of NFL players poised to have breakout campaigns in 2026.

By Jarrett Bailey
NFL
Lions CB Terrion Arnold faces potential life in prison for alleged kidnappingLions CB Terrion Arnold faces potential life in prison for alleged kidnapping
NFL

The Detroit Lions defender faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

By James Dator
From SBNationExternal Link
Who wins the AFC South this season?Who wins the AFC South this season?
From SBNationExternal Link
By Mark Schofield
NFL
Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026
NFL

Another setback for the QB.

By James Dator
NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson