FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After a 3-1 finish by the NFC South in Week 6, the record flipped in Week 7 with only the Carolina Panthers emerging with a victory.

The Falcons had an opportunity to keep pace with the Panthers and gain ground on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost on Monday night, but their third loss of the season dropped them to third in the division. While the Bucs' loss helps keep Atlanta close on their heels, there was an opportunity to shrink their lead even more that the Falcons couldn't take advantage of.

Throughout the season, this piece will serve as a check-in on the four teams in the division, tracking their performance and noting the standout players from each game. Teams will be listed in the order of the division standing.

NFC South standings after Week 7

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2 | 1-0 in division)
2. Carolina Panthers (4-3 | 1-0 in division)
3. Atlanta Falcons (3-3 | 0-2 in division)
4. New Orleans Saints (1-6)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last game: 24-9 loss @ Detroit Lions (5-2)

Offensive standout: G Ben Bredeson

The former fourth-round pick is in his second season with the Buccaneers, and he was great in pass protection on Monday night against a formidable Lions front.

Defensive standout: DT Vita Vea

Vea is probably the Bucs' most impactful defender, and he played well in the loss. Notably, Vea was not in the game on Jahmyr Gibbs' 78-yard touchdown run.

Needs improvement: First-quarter scoring

The Buccaneers have pulled out some close games this season, and that's in part to their inability to come out of the games firing on offense. Tampa Bay averages 3.29 points in the first quarter, which is tied for 24^th in the league.

Telling quote: "Just doing the little things, attention to detail. It's attention to detail. When you're in a heavyweight fight and you don't cross your T's and dot your I's, the other team is going to win." – head coach Todd Bowles

Vibe check: Good

Up next: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET @ New Orleans Saints (1-6)

Carolina Panthers

Last game: 13-6 win @ New York Jets (0-7)

Offensive standout: WR Xavier Legette

Legette had the best game of his career in the Panthers' narrow win on Sunday. He led Carolina with nine catches for 92 yards and caught the game's only touchdown. Legette is a clear No. 2 to Tet McMillan, but he's also shown some flashes in Year 2.

Defensive standout: DT Derrick Brown

While he was officially credited with two sacks against the Jets, Brown got to the quarterback at least three times and consistently generated pressure. He also batted down three passes and led the team in tackles. Not a bad day at the office.

Needs improvement: Passing offense

Carolina ranks just 29^th in passing yards per play at 5.5. Maybe Andy Dalton will be able to bump that number up a bit, but the Panthers will need their run game to stay red-hot if they can't generate more explosive plays through the air.

Telling quote: "We're one game at a time and just taking these wins and celebrating the heck out of it. We have to keep that focus because it's required of us to go back to work. We'll celebrate it, we'll look at the film, we'll correct the things that we can improve on, but we have to have that kind of resilience and focus to just take a next step, go to the next game." – head coach Dave Canales

Vibe check: Scrappy

Up next: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET vs. Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Atlanta Falcons

Last game: 20-10 loss @ San Francisco 49ers (5-2)

Offensive standout: TE Kyle Pitts

It was tough sledding for much of Atlanta's offense throughout the night, but Pitts continues to put together a season that Falcons fans should appreciate. He was Michael Penix Jr.'s most reliable target and caught seven passes for 59 yards Sunday night. He is on pace for his second-best season.

Defensive standout: LB Kaden Elliss

Elliss had an early momentum-swinging play on Sunday night, picking off a tipped pass in the second quarter that ended a threatening 49ers drive and set the Falcons up for their first points of the game. He finished the game with nine combined tackles, a quarterback hit, a pass breakup and the interception.

Needs improvement: Scoring

This continues to be the No. 1 issue facing the 2025 Falcons.

Telling quote: "Anytime you play a team like this and the quality opponent you're playing, you have to be on the screws with every single thing, and we were not tonight." – head coach Raheem Morris.

Vibe check: Growing pains

Up next: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET vs. Miami Dolphins (1-6)

New Orleans Saints

Last game: 26-14 loss @ Chicago Bears (4-2)

Offensive standout: WR Chris Olave

Olave hasn't had the breakout start to his career many believed he would, in large part due to injuries, but Sunday was a game where he looked more like what we all expected when he was drafted. Olave caught five passes against the Bears for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Defensive standout: DE Chase Young

Young finished with a half-sack and a team-high four quarterback pressures on Sunday. It was only his second game of the season, but Young earned the start and was consistently in the backfield.

Needs improvement: Turnovers

The Saints have turned the ball over eight times on offense this season and half of those came on Sunday against Chicago. Spencer Rattler has done a good job protecting the ball this year but had three interceptions in this one.

Telling quote: "They played better than us. They coached better than us. We've got to find the formula that works." – head coach Kellen Moore

Vibe check: Searching for answers

Up next: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)