FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After Week 11, the NFC South is shaping up to be a two-team race. The Carolina Panthers' 30-27 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday not only gave them the season sweep of their division rival but also helped them close the gap on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost a shootout to the Buffalo Bills.
Entering Week 12, it looks like the Panthers and Bucs will duke it out over the final seven weeks.
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.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4 | 2-0 in division)
- Carolina Panthers (6-5 | 2-1 in division)
- Atlanta Falcons (3-7 | 0-3 in division)
- New Orleans Saints (2-8 | 1-1 in division)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last game: Lost 44-32 at Buffalo Bills (7-3)
Offensive standout: RB Sean Tucker
The excitement surrounding Tucker has built in recent weeks, and it boiled over on Sunday. He was Tampa's most dangerous offensive weapon, gaining 106 rushing yards on 19 carries and scoring three total touchdowns.
Defensive standout: S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Winfield tied for the team lead in tackles on Sunday while playing his usual versatile role. On a day when the Bills put up 44 points, however, there weren't many defensive standouts.
Needs improvement: Defending explosive plays
The Bills had eight pass plays of at least 20 yards against Tampa Bay, which illuminated a weakness for the Bucs' defense this year. They have allowed 37 completions of 20 yards or more, which ranks 29th, according to TruMedia.
Telling quote: "We're in a good place mentally. Our fight is outstanding. Our execution needs to be cleaned up." – Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles
Up next: The Buccaneers travel to face the Los Angeles Rams (8-2) on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Carolina Panthers
Last game: Won 30-27 at Atlanta Falcons (3-7)
Offensive standout: QB Bryce Young
Against the Falcons' stout pass defense, Young had the best performance of his career. The third-year quarterback threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions, including a fourth-quarter score that helped the Panthers complete their comeback and take a late lead.
Defensive standout: S Tre'von Moehrig
Carolina's fifth-year safety is off to a good start in his first season with the Panthers. He was the team's leading tackler against Atlanta, finishing with 11 stops and limiting receivers to just 11 yards on passes thrown in his coverage.
Needs improvement: Third-down conversions
Although the Panthers' offense was fairly effective against the Falcons on Sunday, they converted just six of their 17 third-down chances. That 35% conversion rate is slightly lower than their season average of 37%, which ranks 24th in the league.
Telling quote: "The character of this group that just continues to fight, continues to play. What we're waiting for is for these guys to take the wheel, and to say, 'This is our team, coach, we got it'. I had a bunch of guys coming out of the locker room today saying, 'We got this. We got this.'" — Panthers head coach Dave Canales
Up next: The Panthers travel to face the San Francisco 49ers (7-4) on Monday, Nov. 24, at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Take a trip up to the top of the nest and get a bird's eye view of the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers during Week 11, shot on Sony.
Atlanta Falcons
Last game: Lost 30-27 vs. the Carolina Panthers (6-5)
Offensive standout: RB Bijan Robinson
Although wide receiver Drake London once again topped 100 yards receiving, Robinson looked poised to take over the game by halftime. Although that didn't happen, the third-year running back still finished with 143 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive standout: LB Ronnie Harrison
The former safety started the game at linebacker for Atlanta, and he performed fairly well in that role. Harrison led the Falcons with 10 tackles, and he also registered a third-down sack in the fourth quarter. He missed a few tackles, including a critical one in overtime, but there were positives to build upon.
Needs improvement: Possessing the ball
After controlling the ball for more than 30 minutes in four of their first five games, the Falcons have not topped that threshold once in their last five. Atlanta is 3-1 when it has the ball for at least 30 minutes; it is 0-6 when it does not.
Telling quote: "We keep finding ways to make it tough. We certainly do that. Very winnable game for us. We've got to find a way to make a play." – Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
Up next: The Falcons travel to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. ET.
New Orleans Saints
Last game: Bye week
Up next: The Saints host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. ET.
