The Week 18 NFL schedule begins with a crucial NFC South matchup on Saturday afternoon when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) host the Carolina Panthers (8-8) on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium and will attempt to break a four-game losing streak.

And it’s essentially the start of the playoffs for four teams that are in a win-or-go-home situation: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday and Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers ...