FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After gaining ground on the division with their win in New Orleans, the Falcons fell back in Week 13. Their 27-24 loss to the New York Jets — the latest in a recent cluster of agonizing defeats — has all but ended Atlanta’s playoff hopes.
The only path that remains for the Falcons involves winning the NFC South, but that's much easier said than done after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earned a victory to remain atop the standings, and the Carolina Panthers notched a truly impressive win against the Los Angeles Rams to keep pace.
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 (7-5 | 2-0 in division)
- Carolina Panthers (7-6 | 2-1 in division)
- Atlanta Falcons (4-8 | 1-3 in division)
- New Orleans Saints (2-10 | 1-2 in division)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last game: Won 20-17 vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
Offensive standout: LT Tristan Wirfs
Wirfs scored the first touchdown of the game on a 2-yard pass from Baker Mayfield. Any time an offensive lineman scores a touchdown, it's hard not to name him as a standout player. Plus, Wirfs had his typically excellent game as a blocker.
Defensive standout: DT Vita Vea
He wasn't as stout as he typically is against the run, but Vea registered five pressures and a third-down sack against Jacoby Brissett. Vea now has 3.5 sacks on the season.
Needs improvement: Passing game
Some of this may be attributed to Mayfield's shoulder injury, but the Bucs' oft-explosive passing game has been snuffed out lately. Tampa Bay is averaging just 5.6 yards per pass attempt over its last four games, which is fourth worst in the league.
Telling quote: "It's playoff mode and it's playoff time and we [have] to embrace the grind and embrace the pressure. We [have] to execute and make plays in those situations." – Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles.
Up next: The Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints (2-9) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Carolina Panthers
Last game: Won 31-28 vs. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Offensive standout: QB Bryce Young
The Rams have had one of the best defenses in the league this season, which makes Young's performance on Sunday all the more impressive. His 147.1 passer rating was the seventh-best by a quarterback in a game this season. He completed 15 of his 20 attempts for 206 yards and three scores while also running the ball five times for 23 yards.
Defensive standout: S Lathan Ransom
Ransom's presence was felt in his first career. As a downhill run defender, Ransom was devastating. He also sacked Matthew Stafford and led the team with 11 tackles.
Needs improvement: Early down run defense
The Rams faced third down only five times in this game, which immediately should be a red flag about the Panthers' defensive performance on early downs. Sure enough, they allowed 7.2 yards per carry on first and second downs — the worst mark in the league. This year, Carolina has allowed 4.7 yards per carry on first and second downs, which ranks 23rd.
Telling quote: "We needed that kind of challenge so that our guys could rise to the occasion, make plays, have a more balanced attack and be able to play the type of offensive football we know we're capable of." – Panthers head coach Dave Canales
Up next: The Panthers have a bye in Week 14
Atlanta Falcons
Last game: Lost 27-24 at New York Jets (3-9)
Offensive standout: RB Bijan Robinson
It's truly a shame that Atlanta dropped this game, because Robinson deserved to be rewarded for his efforts. He finished with 193 yards from scrimmage, the second-most of his career, and had both a 42-yard reception and a 26-yard run.
Defensive standout: EDGE James Pearce Jr.
The rookie pass rusher is on a tear and has at least a sack in four straight games. He's got five total on the season, tied with teammate Jalon Walker for most among rookies, and very nearly had a second one on Sunday.
Needs improvement: Special teams
Atlanta's special teams units have struggled for much of the season, and they played a big role in keeping the New York Jets in the game on Sunday. Most notable among the gaffes were a muffed punt by veteran returner Jamal Agnew and allowing an 83-yard kickoff return to start the fourth quarter.
Telling quote: "Obviously, we didn't play in our favor today. Gave ourselves a chance to win. We played well on two phases, didn't play well on another phase, and you've got to play all three phases of the football game to win football games, and we did not today." – Falcons head coach Raheem Morris
Up next: The Falcons host the Seattle Seahawks (9-3) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
New Orleans Saints
Last game: Lost 21-17 at Miami Dolphins (21-17)
Offensive standout: WR Devaughn Vele
The former seventh-round pick had the best game of his two-year career on Sunday in Miami. He caught all four of the passes thrown his way for a game-high 93 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter that gave New Orleans a chance to tie the game.
Defensive standout: DE Cam Jordan
Even at 36 years old, Jordan continues to dominate. The eight-time Pro Bowler logged two sacks, another quarterback hit and three run stops on just 23 snaps—talk about a good day at the office.
Needs improvement: Getting the lead
New Orleans has led in only four games so far this season, which is the fewest in the NFL. They fell behind 16-0 in the first half against Miami before mounting a second-half comeback. But, as has often been the case, it was too little too late.
Telling quote: "Every game has things we can take from it, both good and bad. The way our guys responded, the way our guys battled, I love and appreciate that. It's not easy being down at halftime like that and not having any points on the board and feeling like you're not quite clicking. I thought our guys responded in all three phases." – Saints head coach Kellen Moore
Up next: The Saints travel to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
