FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the only NFC South team not to win in Week 16, and their loss cost them the division lead with two games left to play.
In the first of two head-to-head matchups over the final three weeks of the 2025 season, the Carolina Panthers knocked off the Buccaneers to vault into first place. The two teams will meet again in Week 18, and the division could once again be on the line if Carolina can't wrap it up this weekend.
The Falcons and Saints each also scored late-season wins as they attempt to end their respective years on a high note.
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.
- Carolina Panthers (8-7 | 3-2 in division)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8 | 2-3 in division)
- Atlanta Falcons (6-9 | 2-3 in division)
- New Orleans Saints (5-10 | 3-2 in division)
Carolina Panthers
Last game: Won 23-20 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
Offensive standout: QB Bryce Young
In the battle of former No. 1 overall picks, it was Young who looked like the polished veteran. He outdueled Baker Mayfield and completed 21 of his 32 pass attempts for 191 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Defensive standout: LB Nic Scourton
Scourton finished the game with four tackles, and each one was an impressive play. He was consistent in coverage and generated pressure as a pass rusher. It was a solid all-around game from the impressive Panthers rookie.
Needs improvement: Third-down defense
The Buccaneers converted eight of their 14 third-down chances against Carolina's defense, which has been a problem area for the Panthers this season. They rank 30th in that metric, allowing teams to convert 45.8% of the time on third down.
Telling quote: "Everything is right in front of us still and to give ourselves a chance to continue to play meaningful football this time of year, they've earned that." – Panthers head coach Dave Canales
Up next: The Panthers host the Seattle Seahawks (12-3) in their final home game of the season on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last game: Lost 23-20 at Carolina Panthers (8-7)
Offensive standout: OT Tristan Wirfs
One of the best left tackles in the game was once again excellent against Carolina's pass rush. He allowed just two pressures on 30 pass block snaps, according to Next Gen Stats, and helped clear a lot of running room on the left side.
Defensive standout: OLB Yaya Diaby
On 28 pass rush snaps, Diaby pressured Brice Young nine times, including four quick quarterback pressures. It was the second-most pressures he accumulated and second-highest pressure rate of his career.
Needs improvement: Passing offense
In the last five weeks, the Buccaneers have the second-fewest passing yards per attempt and passing yards per game in the league, and they are 29th in first downs per attempt.
Telling quote: "It's not disappointing, it's frustrating, but you got to wake up and move on like you do every other day. We know that as a team and we understand exactly where we are and we got some great leaders on this team that will lead us there." – Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles
Up next: The Buccaneers are on the road against the Miami Dolphins (6-9) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium during Week 16, presented by Grady.
Atlanta Falcons
Last game: Won 26-19 at Arizona Cardinals
Offensive standout: RB Bijan Robinson
The NFL's scrimmage yards leader had an incredible game once again. Robinson had 168 total yards and a touchdown on 23 touches. He now sits at 2,062 scrimmage yards on the season and became just the third player in Falcons history to break the 2,000-yard mark.
Defensive standout: S Jessie Bates
Bates was heavily involved in slowing down the league's most productive tight end on Sunday as Trey McBride caught just four passes for 27 yards. According to Next Gen Stats, one-third of Bates' coverage snaps were against tight ends, and he allowed just one catch on four targets in the game overall. He had two crucial pass breakups late in the game.
Needs improvement: Finishing games on offense
This is a more nuanced area for improvement for the Falcons, but they twice had the opportunity to put Sunday's game away on offense and ultimately had to rely on the defense to get the job done. That has come back to bite Atlanta at times this season.
Telling quote: "The guys went out there and fought today. It wasn't always perfect. I would like to end that thing a little better but we can always complain about those things and talk about that later. But I'm really excited to get another win." – Falcons head coach Raheem Morris
Up next: The Falcons return home for a prime-time matchup against the Los Angeles Rams (11-4) on Monday night at 8:15 p.m. ET.
New Orleans Saints
Last game: Won 29-6 vs. New York Jets
Offensive standout: WR Chris Olave
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has been on a tear recently, but it was Olave who stole the show on Sunday. The Saints' top receiver caught 10 passes for 148 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 38-yard score in the final two minutes of the game.
Defensive standout: S Jonas Sanker
He racked up five tackles, a pass breakup and a fourth-quarter interception on Sunday in the blowout win.
Needs improvement: Run game
This continues to be the biggest problem for an improving offense. Taysom Hill was the team's leading rusher against the Jets, gaining 42 yards on 12 carries. New Orleans finished with 84 yards on the ground and an average of 3.4 yards per carry.
Telling quote: "I think the confidence is growing. We're creating habits and creating meaningful December football. Winning is contagious, and you want to create those winning habits. It starts with every opportunity you have, and it's really cool to see our guys doing this." - Saints head coach Kellen Moore
Up next: The Saints are on the road to play the Tennessee Titans (3-12) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
