There’s nothing like NFC South football. It is reserved for only the most tormented fans. Trying to predict who comes out on top this year? You’ve got better luck predicting the Powerball numbers. Here’s the Week 1 NFC South Review:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
Week 1 Result: Buccaneers27 – Bengals 33
Week 2 Opponent: Cleveland Browns
The Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to a hefty extension that ties him to the team for four years earlier in the week. He did not reward them for it. Mayfield had a costly fumble that was returned
for a touchdown and ended the game with no passing touchdowns and an ADoT (average depth of target) of 4.7. His rushing touchdown kept it close, but the offense’s sloppy day (4 lost fumbles) cost them the game.
Todd Bowles’ defense managed to get a pick-six but was otherwise ineffective. That includes 1st-round pick Ruben Bain, who finished the game with 41 snaps but zero sacks or pressures. Tampa Bay will host the Browns in their home opener next week, who are coming off a tough loss of their own.
New Orleans Saints (0-1)
Week 1 Result: Saints30 – Lions 31
Week 2 Opponent: Baltimore Ravens
The Saints lost a nail-biter in overtime after they failed to convert their 2-point attempt. Tyler Shough and the offense looked completely discombobulated up until midway through the 3rd quarter. Once they started firing on all cylinders, the touchdowns came in bunches. It was at this point that the Saints defense started to malfunction and, after a strong start, couldn’t keep the Lions out of the end zone.
The Saints have the potential to be a good team if they clean up their act; if not, their volatility will be their undoing. They’ll travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, who had a commanding win over the Colts.
Carolina Panthers (0-1)
Week 1 Result: Panthers 37 – Bears 59
Week 2 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers offense put up 37, most in the division. They also gave up 59, which was the most in the division. The Panthers defense was no match for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson’s high-powered offense. Bryce Young put up a fight, but costly offensive turnovers spoiled too many opportunities.
Carolina invested heavily in its defense this offseason, including extending Ejiro Evero, a decision many questioned. Those investments failed to impact the game, and that extension looks even more questionable. Carolina will drive down I-85 to take on the Falcons, and look to extend their 3-game winning streak.
Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
Week 1 Result: Falcons 13 – Steelers 20
Week 2 Opponent: Carolina Panthers
The Falcons quarterback room is a chiropractic marketing scam. Cooper Rush experienced back spasms the day before the game and did his best to play through it. The Falcons tried to run their offense exclusively through Bijan Robinson, but they couldn’t hide Rush forever. Two ugly interceptions, one of which was a pick-six, and the inability to push the ball more than five yards led to an upended offense. Nick Folk missing twice as many field goals in this game as he did in all of 2025 was the cherry on top.
The defense played well and stifled the Steelers offense for most of the game. The Falcons defense will need to carry over that performance against a hot Carolina offense. Hopefully by then one of the Falcons’ preferred quarterback options has a working back.
It feels good to be back in the trash heap known as the NFC South. No other division is quite like it. The 2026 division crown is anyone’s for the taking, and I have a gut feeling we won’t know the winner until the final week of the season.
