Week 18 NFL preview capsules
Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -3, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: Tampa has won five of the past six meetings but Carolina claimed the victory in a potential turning-point game two weeks ago, 23-20.
It’s not exactly a winner-takes-all situation when the NFC South rivals meet for the second time in three weeks. The Panthers can dictate their fate when it comes to qualifying for the postseason. Carolina clinches the division with a win or a tie against the Buccaneers, plus the Panthers have a bit of a safety net. If the Atlanta Falcons defeat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, that result would also shove the Panthers into the playoffs. QB Bryce Young, whose team has alternated wins and losses over the past 10 games, led the Panthers to a win over Tampa Bay in Charlotte on Dec. 21 to give Carolina the slight upper hand. The Buccaneers have lost four consecutive games — all by four or fewer points — and have dropped seven of their past eight outings. Tampa Bay is truly in a must-win situation. Six of Carolina’s victories this season have come by three-point margins. It definitely feels different for the Panthers as the regular season comes to an end with an important game ahead. In recent years, they played just for pride to finish the schedule.
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Saturday, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -1.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The second meeting of these teams follows a 17-13 victory in Week 1 for the 49ers, San Francisco’s seventh win in the past eight meetings in the series.
With the No. 1 seed and NFC West title on the line, the Seahawks are hoping to snap the 49ers’ six-game winning streak and stay home for the playoffs after a bye on wild-card weekend. The 49ers are riding the hot hand of QB Brock Purdy, who has posted back-to-back games with five offensive TDs. Purdy had two TD passes and 277 yards through the air in the opener at Seattle and rushed for two touchdowns with three TD tosses in a shootout that tilted San Francisco’s way against the Bears last week. The Seahawks have also won six straight and have only lost once since Oct. 5. The 49ers have overcome season-ending injuries to defensive stalwarts Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to move into position to earn home-field advantage through the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, with a victory. The Seahawks’ big concern is at left tackle. Charles Cross will miss his third straight game due to a hamstring injury. His backup, Josh Jones (ankle/knee), is listed as questionable after missing two practices and returning Thursday in a limited capacity. While Seahawks QB Sam Darnold has been productive, his history of his road-game challenges became relevant again last week with a shaky showing at Carolina. Seattle ran the ball effectively with a heavier dose of Zach Charbonnet (11 rushing TDs this season) tallying a season-high 110 rushing yards.
