The Bucks fell apart late in Thursday’s game, losing to the Falcons in Atlanta and missing a big chance. Tampa Bay looked poised to make some kind of difference early on as they cruised to a big win in the NFC South and seek their fourth straight division title. Todd Bowles and his team would have been 4-1 through five games, two games ahead of both Atlanta and New Orleans, while sitting at 1-0 in divisional play.
Instead, the NFC South standings are close. The division has become accustomed to the situation in recent years, as the races have been close each of the past two years. The Bucks completed a three-peat on the final day of last season with a win over Southern in Week 17 of the 2022 season.
So what does the NFC South look like until Week 5 of the 2024 season? It’s time to tear it all down.
NFC South Update: Week 5
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucs held sole possession of first place in the division heading into the NFC South opener against the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. But now in Week 6, not only do they no longer hold the lead, they sit in second place after a tiebreaker.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucks’ offense got off to a strong start Thursday, scoring 24 points in the first half and taking a 24-17 lead into halftime. However, the offense stalled in the second half, and the defense couldn’t keep up with Kirk Cousins and the Falcons’ offense. Even after Lavonte David’s interception appeared to end the game, Tampa Bay couldn’t get the final stop it needed in regulation and lost the coin toss in overtime. Immediately after that, the team returned home with a bitter taste in their mouth after a walk-off touchdown.
The Falcons had Cousins throw for a franchise-record 509 yards and four touchdowns in a big win, and Drake Rondon was a big contributor to that effort. He caught 12 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown, but it was CaDarrell who caught the game-clinching 45-yard touchdown just seconds after Rondon went to the sideline with an injury in overtime.・It was Hodge. The fans inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium went wild as the team got off to a strong start early in the divisional race with an important victory.
On Sunday, the Panthers lost 36-10 to the Bears in Chicago, further dropping them to last place. Tuba Hubbard’s 38-yard touchdown run gave Carolina an early 7-0 lead, but the Bears fought back and scored the next 30 points. The turnaround experienced by coach Dave Canales’ team, which replaced Bryce Young in Week 4 with Andy Dalton, was short-lived, with Dalton completing 18 of 28 for just 136 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. suffered a defeat. This takes the Panthers from 1-4 weeks to 5 weeks.
Saints QB Derek Carr – Photo Credit: USA Today
Finally, to conclude the weekend of NFL games, the Saints faced off against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Kansas City. New Orleans hung on for much of the game despite getting little from Alvin Kamara, the mainstay of the offense so far this season. The Saints trailed 16-7 at halftime, but got within 16-13 early in the fourth quarter.
But Xavier Worthy’s touchdown run and late field goal… Quarterback Derek Carr injured late – Helped the Chiefs win 26-13 and reach 5-0. On the other hand, the Saints have lost three straight games with two wins and three losses.
NFC South standings updates from Week 5:
Atlanta Falcons: 3-2 (2-0 in NFC South)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-2 (0-1 in NFC South)
New Orleans Saints: 2 wins, 3 losses (1 win, 1 loss in NFC South)
Carolina Panthers: 1-4 (0-1 in NFC South)
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 4, 2024
The Bucks have a big chance to bounce back in Week 6.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Thursday night’s loss to Atlanta hurt, but Tampa Bay won’t have to wait long for a chance to redeem itself. Of course, the team is literally waiting to play a little longer considering there is a 10-day break between Thursday night game and Sunday’s contest. However, this Week 6 matchup will be a chance for the Bucks to bounce back and help their standings. NFC South Race.
Todd Bowles and his team are scheduled to play the Saints in New Orleans, who have lost three straight and are dealing with a significant injury of their own. Derek Carr will miss Sunday’s gamebut regardless of who the Saints have under center, the Bucs will need to find a way to rebound to get to 4-2 and grab a big win in the division.
The Bucks won their division in 2022 with an 8-9 record, but finished with a 4-2 record in the NFC South. They went 9-8 last year and once again finished 4-2 against division opponents. So dropping the first two games against NFC South foes would make life very difficult going forward.
Tampa Bay can’t afford to go 0-2 in NFC South play. That’s especially true given that Atlanta will be heavily favored to go 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the division this Sunday in district play. They will face the 1-4 Panthers, who are still one of the worst teams in the NFL.
