The Final Monday Night Football of the Regular Season Comes Early
While it may be Saturday on the calendar, the NFL is officially closing the regular-season chapter of Monday Night Football with a special Week 18 doubleheader on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The league has occasionally leaned on this format in recent years, using the final MNF branding as a spotlight for games with direct playoff consequences — and this year’s matchups fit that profile perfectly.
The nightcap, Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, serves as the final regular-season Monday Night Football game, even though it kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with NFC West positioning and potential top-seed implications hanging in the balance. Earlier in the evening, the Carolina Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game that carries major weight in the NFC South race.
Panthers @ Buccaneers — Week 18 Saturday Early Game
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET — Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
TV: ABC/ESPN
Panthers – Buccaneers Betting Odds (approximate)
- Spread: Buccaneers –3 (home favorite)
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay favored around –150, Panthers +125
- Total (O/U): ~43.5 points
Game Context
This Week 18 kickoff has NFC South title and playoff implications on the line. The Panthers (8-8) can clinch the division and a playoff berth with a win — their first South crown since 2015 — while a Bucs victory keeps their hopes alive, potentially requiring help from other Week 18 results.
Carolina’s Bryce Young has shown poise leading this turnaround season and the Panthers already beat Tampa Bay once this year. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers (7-9) have struggled late, losing seven of their last eight games.
Betting Prediction
Panthers 24, Buccaneers 20 — This shapes up as a competitive, low-to-moderate scoring game. Carolina’s QB temperament and recent success against Tampa Bay give them an edge as narrow underdogs, especially with playoff seeds at stake. Expect a close finish, probably decided in the fourth quarter.
Predicted Result: Panthers +3 / Straight up win (upset)
Total: Under if defenses make key stops late
🏈 Panthers @ Buccaneers — Player Props & Parlays
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET — ABC/ESPN
🔥 Top Player Prop Picks
Carolina Panthers
- Bryce Young OVER 18.5 rushing yards — Young’s mobility has increased lately, and he’s topped this mark in his last several games.
- Tetairoa McMillan anytime touchdown — McMillan leads Carolina in TDs and has been a top red-zone target.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Bucky Irving OVER 58.5 rushing yards — Irving historically has success versus the Panthers, and Tampa Bay should lean on the ground.
- Baker Mayfield OVER 217.5 passing yards — Mayfield has hit similar totals recently and could be forced to throw to keep his team competitive.
- Mike Evans anytime touchdown — Evans is a proven red-zone threat and has scored in back-to-back games.
Other Value Props
- Rachaad White OVER 11.5 rushing yards — A low-risk rushing prop if Tampa Bay gets ahead and runs more.
Same-Game Parlay (SGP) Ideas Panthers-Buccaneers
Here are our favorite same-game parlay ideas for Buccaneers-Panthers:
SGP #1 (Balanced):
- Panthers +3
- Bryce Young OVER 18.5 rushing yards
- Bucky Irving anytime TD
SGP #2 (Buc Lean):
- Buccaneers moneyline
- Mike Evans anytime TD
- Baker Mayfield OVER 217.5 passing yards
SGP #3 (Skew to ‘Over’):
- Over 43.5 total points
- McMillan anytime TD
- Irving OVER rushing yards
👉 Carolina can clinch the NFC South with a win, making Young/McMillan extra intriguing if they’re ahead late and running clock or mixing plays.
🏈 Seahawks @ 49ers — Week 18 Saturday Night Game
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
TV: ABC/ESPN
Seahawks – 49ers Betting Odds (approximate)
- Spread: Seahawks around –1.5 to –2.5
- Moneyline: Seahawks favored (~–120 to –138)
- Total (O/U): ~47.5–49.5 points
Game Context
This NFC West battle is essentially a playoff seeding final: the winner earns the NFC West title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and a first-round bye; the loser drops down in the playoff pecking order. Both teams enter with strong late-season momentum, and rain chances are light, unlikely to drastically hamper passing games.
San Francisco has a recent rivalry edge historically, but Seattle’s defense has been elite down the stretch and the Seahawks have shown consistency on the road.
Betting Prediction
Final Prediction: Seahawks 25, 49ers 23
- Spread: Seattle –1.5 (cover)
- Total: Lean Over if receptions and chunk plays happen early
Seattle’s ability to control tempo and spread the ball with Jaxon Smith-Njigba makes the difference in a tight one. Expect a defensive slugfest with well-timed offense — one or two critical fourth-quarter possessions could decide it.
🏈 Seahawks @ 49ers — Player Props & Parlays
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET — ABC/ESPN
🔥 Top Player Prop Picks
Seattle Seahawks
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba OVER 94.5 receiving yards — JSN is a target magnet and projects over his line in many models.
- A.J. Barner OVER ~38.5 receiving yards — Barner’s role has grown and projections favor him going over.
- Sam Darnold OVER 237.5 passing yards — Seahawks have leaned on rhythm passing, and the 49ers secondary can be exploitable.
San Francisco 49ers
- Brock Purdy OVER 1.5 passing touchdowns — Despite tough defense, multiple TD passes are within reach.
- Jauan Jennings anytime touchdown — One of Purdy’s main red-zone targets with solid scoring history.
- Brian Robinson Jr. OVER 14.5 rushing yards — A modest and likely cashable rushing total.
Same-Game Parlay (SGP) Ideas 49ers-Seahawks
Here are our favorite same-game parlay ideas for Seahawks-49ers:
SGP #1 (Balanced Offensive):
- Seahawks -1.5
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba OVER receiving yards
- Brock Purdy OVER 1.5 passing TDs
SGP #2 (Yardage Heavy):
- Over 47.5 total points
- Sam Darnold OVER passing yards
- Jauan Jennings anytime TD
SGP #3 (Seattle Skew):
- Seahawks -1.5
- A.J. Barner OVER receiving yards
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba OVER receiving yards
👉 With the NFC West and No. 1 seed on the line, both offenses are likely to attack early. JSN’s route volume and Purdy’s red-zone usage make those props appealing.
Final Monday Night Football Game Summary – Jan. 3, 2026
| Game | Pick | Predicted Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers @ Buccaneers | Panthers ML & Spread/Close Win | 24–20 | Will Panthers or Buccaneers clinch division & playoff berth? |
| Seahawks @ 49ers | Seahawks Cover / Slight Favorite | 25–23 | Winner earns NFC West & top NFC seed |
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute betting advice from BetHouse.com. Odds and player availability are subject to change.
