Another week, another 1-2 result for the division. The NFC South is living up to its reputation, and it’s looking like it will be a two-team race for the remaining year.
Here’s the Week 11 NFC South Review.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4)
Week 11 Result: Buccaneers 32 – Bills 44
Week 12 Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
The Buccaneers fell victim to another explosive AFC East offense. Josh Allen’s six touchdowns were too much for Tampa Bay to overcome. After a hot start that overcame a laundry list of injuries, the Buccaneers have now lost two in a row and opened the door for the Panthers to make a run at the division title.
They face the red-hot Rams this week, and if Todd Bowles can’t get his team to lock in, things could get ugly quick.
New Orleans Saints (2-8)
Week 11 Result: Bye Week
Week 12 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans spent last week on a bye. While the team isn’t in the division title or playoff mix they have important questions to answer in the final half-stretch of the season. Tyler Shough had a good outing against the Panthers, and Kellen Moore’s offense has been effective this season despite the record.
This isn’t a good team, but they can compete, and they’ll be facing a wounded Falcons team for the first time this season. Motivation is rarely needed during Hate Week, but handing the Falcons their 6th consecutive loss is nice bulletin board material.
Carolina Panthers (6-5)
Week 11 Result: Panthers 30 – Falcons 27
Week 12 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers
Carolina was the only winner this week and had the most to gain. Bryce Young had one game over 200 yards passing coming into the division matchup against the Falcons, so of course, he threw for a Panthers franchise record of 448 yards. It was anticipated that Carolina’s run game would be the unit that could dominate this matchup, but as he has seemingly always done to the Falcons, Young took the team down with his arm.
The Panthers now have as many wins as the Buccaneers and are in the playoff hunt, but they have a big test on Monday Night Football against the 49ers next.
Atlanta Falcons (3-7)
Week 11 Result: Falcons 27 – Panthers 30
Week 12 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Michael Penix went down after a promising game, and the Falcons’ hopes went along with him. The Panthers swept the team for the first time since 2013, and the Falcons dropped to 0-3 in the division. Saying the Falcons are not in a good place would be an understatement. Atlanta is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the eighth year in a row, and they haven’t won a game in over a month. Now the team must turn to Kirk Cousins against the Saints, and he’ll be without Drake London. May the gods have mercy on us.
NFC South football is not for the weak, but someone has to win this division, and it’s looking like it will come down to a photo finish between Carolina and Tampa Bay, for now.
