Buccaneers Shut Out Falcons to Take Control of NFC South Race

The entire NFC South is currently sitting at 3-13 at home, and not a single team in the division holds a winning record or even sits at the .500 mark.

Business as usual in the division means a chaotic race where no one seems to want the crown. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved to 3-5 with a 16-0 shutout win over the Atlanta Falcons, stringing together back-to-back victories against division rivals after starting the season 1-5. Tampa Bay relied entirely on a ground game that amassed over 300 yards in a monsoon, winning the contest without completing a single pass while intercepting Michael Penix Jr. four times. The Buccaneers now head to Chicago next week to face the Chicago Bears.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers lost 19-27 against the Green Bay Packers in a game that felt far less competitive than the final score implied. Bryce Young faced constant pressure all afternoon, looking jittery even when kept clean. While the defense managed to avoid total disaster largely due to dropped passes by Green Bay skill players, the unit was still heavily tested. Shortly after the loss, the team let go of former defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, adding further organizational upheaval to a roster already battered by injuries. Carolina now prepares to host the Denver Broncos.

The New Orleans Saints used their bye week to reset a defense plagued by injuries and to recalibrate Kellen Moore’s offense. Sitting at 2-5 by Week 8 would spell doom for most squads, but the weak NFC South keeps New Orleans in the hunt. They look to get back on track against the Browns next week.

For Atlanta, the 16-0 loss to Tampa Bay marked a brutal afternoon. Michael Penix Jr. delivered his worst performance as a pro, Tommy Rees called his worst game since joining the team, and Jeff Ulbrich’s defense surrendered 324 rushing yards. The Falcons leaned heavily into throwing the ball through severe weather, yielding costly turnovers. With their offensive line failing to pull its weight, Bijan Robinson looked pedestrian outside of a few carries per game. Dropping to third place in the division, Atlanta now travels overseas to face the Bengals in Spain.