The Panthersand Saints grab their first wins of the season, while the Falcons and Buccaneersquest for a W continues. The division’s young quarterbacks are making a case that their time is now.
Are the Buccaneers already feeling buyer’s remorse, and will the Falcons ever reach the red zone? Here’s the Week 2 NFC South Review.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2)
Week 2 Result: Buccaneers 19 – Browns 23
Week 3 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
The Buccaneers are a volatile product, as they’ve always been during the Bowles-Mayfield era, but things
feel different this year. Mayfield has only thrown for one touchdown across two games, and Tampa Bay is 0-2 for the first time since 2024. Bowles’ defense couldn’t hold off a second-half surge from the Browns, and unlike most seasons, Tampa Bay isn’t dealing with a laundry list of injuries.
If this team can’t get a win soon, Todd Bowles could find himself unemployed before the season ends. The Buccaneers will host the 2-0 Vikings, who will have Kyler Murray under center after he cleared concussion protocol Monday.
New Orleans Saints (1-1)
Week 2 Result: Saints 24 – Ravens 17
Week 3 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
The Saintsscored 15 unanswered points in the 4th quarter, delivering an upset on the road in Baltimore. Tyler Shough is looking like the quarterback he was hyped up to be all offseason. The offense has shown its potential in the first two weeks, but the defense deserves credit for keeping the Ravens offense in check in the second half.
Chase Young has been off to an impressive start, and if this defense can keep playing complementary football, this team will be a force in the division. The Saints return home to host the red-hot Raiders, who are 2-0.
Carolina Panthers (1-1)
Week 2 Result: Panthers 34 – Falcons 3
Week 3 Opponent: Detroit Lions
Bryce Young continues to torment the Dirty Birds. He delivered another cerebral performance, escaping pressure with ease and consistently finding the open man. After building a quick lead, the Panthers defense stuffed the Falcons in a locker. Devin Lloyd was all over the field, racking up a sack, two TFLs, two interceptions, and a touchdown.
There is a Cooper Rush/Jack Strand tax applied here, but credit to the Panthers for taking care of a weaker opponent the way a good team should. They’ll host the Lions in Charlotte, who are desperate to turn their 0-2 start around.
Atlanta Falcons (0-2)
Week 2 Result: Falcons 3 – Panthers 34
Week 3 Opponent: Green Bay Packers
The Falconslost by 30 and were shut out in their first 2025 matchup against the Panthers. This Sunday they lost by 31, but hey, they got on the board this time. This offense is a disaster, and this defense already looks stretched thin after two games. Tommy Rees is struggling, and his offense has more than personnel problems; it’s schematically inept.
Special teams hasn’t looked sharp, and fans have a right to worry that their 41 year old kicker has lost his touch. It’s a short week for the Falcons, who travel to Green Bay Thursday for their first of three consecutive primetime games. Pray for America.
Two weeks isn’t enough time to make concrete proclamations, which is good news for the Falcons and Buccaneers. There’s still plenty of time to recover, but if things don’t get back on track for the 0-2 teams, the Saints and Panthers could make this a two-team race by mid-season.
