Mutually mediocre. That’s how our John Sigler described the NFC South. 13 games through the season it’s difficult to describe them in any other way. The Carolina Panthers are out of the playoff race altogether, but the other three teams still have a chance at the division title and a wild card spot. If each team continues their trajectory, it’s unlikely the NFC South will get two teams into the playoffs.
Despite how underwhelming the division has been the last two seasons, someone has to win. The Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all tied at the top of the division at 6-7. New Orleans still plays both the Falcons and Buccaneers before the season is over.
But those aren’t the only games left to play. Let’s look at each team’s remaining schedule:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
- Week 15 at Green Bay Packers (6-7)
- Week 16 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5)
- Week 17 vs. New Orleans Saints (6-7)
- Week 18: at Carolina Panthers (1-12)
The Buccaneers have just one game left against a team with a winning record, and the Jaguars are 2-0 against NFC South teams this year.
Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
- Week 15 at Carolina Panthers (1-12)
- Week 16 vs. Indianapolis Colts (7-6)
- Week 17 at Chicago Bears (5-8)
- Week 18 at New Orleans Saints (6-7)
The Falcons also are left with a single opponent who has a winning record, but three of their last four games are on the road.
New Orleans Saints (6-7)
- Week 15 vs. New York Giants (5-8)
- Week 16 at Los Angeles Rams (6-7)
- Week 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
- Week 18 vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
The Saints don’t have any opponents with winning records left on their schedule, but the Giants and Rams are going to be challenging matchups for them. And the Buccaneers handed New Orleans its worst loss of the season earlier this year.
