The NFC South is widely known as the NFL’s worst division, and honestly, it has earned that reputation. Since the league went to a 17-game schedule in 2021, only two teams have snagged a division title with a losing record, and both came right out of the NFC South: the 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) and the 2025 Carolina Panthers (8-9). Both of those teams even lost their wild-card games at home. This season? The division isn’t exactly changing that perception. Carolina is currently sitting at the top with a 3-3 record, which, let’s be real, would put them dead last in the NFC North or AFC North. Just three days ago, the Bucs were staring down the barrel of the worst record in the NFC at 1-5. Now, after a surprising 43-13 beatdown of the Panthers in Charlotte, they are just 1.5 games out of first place and hold a tiebreaker edge on Carolina.
Chaos Reigns in the Division of Close Calls (That Aren’t)
It’s not just the NFC South that’s a bit of a mess, sure. The AFC South, even with the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars, actually has fewer total wins. And by point differential, the NFC East is somehow 47 points worse. But the fact remains: *someone* has to win this division, and it is a total toss-up. If the Panthers drop their Thursday night game against the Packers, you could easily argue that the winner of Sunday’s Atlanta Falcons-Buccaneers showdown in Tampa will be the team to beat. Both Atlanta and Tampa Bay have navigated quarterback troubles this season. The Falcons kicked off 0-2 with Cooper Rush under center, while the Buccaneers went 1-2 with undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels stepping in after Baker Mayfield injured his thumb. Atlanta is riding high with Michael Penix Jr. throwing three touchdown passes in each of his last two games, and the Bucs just gashed the Panthers for 258 rushing yards. Momentum is definitely on both sides for this pivotal matchup.
Bad Blood and Brutal Rushing Battles Ahead
Sunday’s Falcons-Buccaneers game is set to be a clash of titans when it comes to the ground game. Atlanta ranks sixth in rushing yards per game and an impressive fourth in rushing yards allowed. Tampa Bay, however, is even better, ranking third in rushing yards per game and second in rushing yards allowed. So, who is going to take control of this game, the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson or the Bucs’ Bucky Irving? Adding another layer of spice to this rivalry is the fact that Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson, held the same job for the Falcons for the past two seasons. Plus, Baker Mayfield had some choice words for new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski back in January. Mayfield was clearly ticked off that he never heard from Stefanski after the Browns traded him to Carolina in 2022. “Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage,” Mayfield wrote over the offseason. “Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.” For a division that’s unbelievably tight in the standings,we could be looking at just one game separating top and bottom by Sunday night,the three division games played so far have been anything but close. The Bucs dominated the Panthers by 30 points, the Panthers crushed the Falcons (with Rush at QB) by 31, and the Falcons beat the Saints by 21. New Orleans has dropped four of five heading into their Week 8 bye, but they also have a chance to turn things around with four division games in their final five weeks of the season. The Buccaneers are currently the only NFC South team that has actually outscored their opponents this year.
This Sunday, keep your eyes glued to the Falcons-Buccaneers game in Tampa. The winner might just claim the inside track in this wild division. It is anyone’s guess who comes out on top.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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