On the second Sunday in December, the four teams that make up the NFC South Division squared off against each other. One featured the Falcons and Buccaneers playing for first place. The other featured the Saints looking to position themselves to pass Atlanta and Tampa Bay while the Panthers continue their trek to the worst record in the league and a top draft pick for the Chicago Bears.

NFC South Leaders: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay entered the weekend sitting in second place in the NFC South division and taking on the then-first place Atlanta Falcons. Tampa won the Super Bowl three years ago and won the division each of the last two years, but that was with Tom Brady starting at quarterback. There’s a vast disparity between Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield. Still, Mayfield showed up when it mattered in the final minutes of the game. Despite there not being much offense for three quarters, Mayfield led a touchdown drive with Tampa down three points to give them a four-point lead in the final minute. Some timely defense helped Tampa win the game and tie Atlanta in the standings. With the head-to-head win, Tampa has climbed into first place.

Always the Bridesmaid: Atlanta Falcons

Has there been any franchise more snakebitten in recent years than the Atlanta Falcons? Following their collapse against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, Atlanta has only made the playoffs one time. In 2023, the Falcons won the season opener for the first time since that Super Bowl season. In 2022, the Falcons ended their season handing Tom Brady his final ever regular season loss; it was also the only time a Tom Brady-led team lost to Atlanta. But every time it appears like the Falcons will finally make it back to the postseason, something happens. On Sunday, Mayfield’s drive put Atlanta’s back against the wall. Desmond Ridder led the team down for a chance at a game winning touchdown. Drake London caught the pass but was tackled at the four giving Tampa the win. Will Atlanta ever find their way out of these doldrums?

Positioning Themselves Well: New Orleans Saints

In the other game, the New Orleans Saints were in a bigger hole than either Atlanta or Tampa Bay. The Saints already lost to both teams earlier this year. They were tied with Tampa in the standings, sitting a game behind Atlanta when the day started. New Orleans couldn’t afford to stumble against Carolina, and they made sure they didn’t. The Saints marched to victory putting them in a three-way tie with both the Buccaneers and Falcons. However, they will remain behind them both on tiebreakers until the rematches in the final two weeks of the regular season.

NFC South Cellar Dwellers: Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are in an odd situation. They were the first team in the NFL eliminated from playoff contention, but tanking doesn’t help them much. Carolina traded their 2024 first round draft pick to the Chicago Bears for the number one overall pick in 2023 and draft Bryce Young. Losing out will only help the Bears get the first overall pick again in the next draft. Meanwhile the two closest teams to Carolina in the standings have started to pick the bones of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Arizona Cardinals beat Pittsburgh in week 13; then the Patriots upset the Steelers on Thursday Night Football in week 14. With four games left, it’s not looking good for Carolina.

Final Scores:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29 | Atlanta Falcons 25

New Orleans Saints 28 | Carolina Panthers 6

NFC South Standings

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-7
2. Atlanta Falcons 6-7
3. New Orleans Saints 6-7
4. Carolina Panthers 1-12

Who Will Win?

There are just four games left for each team and they all still have to play each other again. Carolina ends the year with the Falcons, Packers, Jaguars and Buccaneers. New Orleans finishes the season with the Giants, Rams, Buccaneers and Falcons. Atlanta ends the year with the Panthers, Colts, Bears and Saints. And Tampa finishes the season with the Packers, Jaguars, Saints and Panthers.

So, who will win this weird and wild NFC South division? Looking at those matchups, I think the schedule favors Tampa the most. Who knows what you will get from Green Bay and Jacksonville? Meanwhile, Carolina remains the worst team in the league. I’m picking Tampa to win the division for a third straight year.

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