When the Bucs fell aside late in Thursday’s sport and misplaced to the Falcons in Atlanta, they let a serious alternative slip away. Tampa Bay regarded primed to choose up an enormous NFC South victory and create some separation early on in its quest to four-peat as division champions. Todd Bowles and his staff would’ve been at 4-1, two video games forward of each Atlanta and New Orleans via 5 video games whereas sitting at 1-0 in divisional play.
As a substitute, issues are tight within the NFC South standings. The division has gotten used to that in recent times, because the race has gone right down to the wire in every of the final two years. The Bucs clinched the South in Week 17 of the 2022 season earlier than wrapping up their three-peat on the season’s last day final yr.
So, the place do issues stand with the NFC South via Week 5 of the 2024 season? It’s time to interrupt all of it down.
NFC South Replace: Week 5
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins – Photograph by: USA Immediately
The Bucs had sole possession of first place within the division heading into their NFC South opener towards the Falcons on Thursday Evening Soccer. However now, getting into Week 6, they not solely don’t have sole possession of the highest spot – they sit in second place through tiebreaker.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense obtained out to a sizzling begin on Thursday, scoring 24 first-half factors as they established a 24-17 lead going into halftime. However the offense stalled out within the second half and the protection couldn’t sustain with Kirk Cousins and the Falcons offense. Even after it seemingly iced the sport with a Lavonte David interception, Tampa Bay couldn’t get the ultimate cease it wanted in regulation and misplaced the coin toss in additional time. Shortly after, the walk-off landing despatched the staff dwelling with a bitter style of their mouths.
The Falcons had Cousins throw for a franchise-record 509 yards and 4 touchdowns of their massive win, and Drake London was a serious a part of that effort. He caught 12 passes for 154 yards and a landing, however it was Kha’Darel Hodge who caught the game-winning 45-yard landing simply seconds after London headed to the sideline with an harm in additional time. The followers inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium had been despatched right into a frenzy as their staff picked up a key win that may set them up effectively early within the division race.
On Sunday, the Panthers fell deeper into final place with a lopsided 36-10 loss to the Bears in Chicago. Chuba Hubbard gave Carolina an early 7-0 lead with a 38-yard landing run, however the Bears got here again to attain the subsequent 30 factors. The bounce that Dave Canales’ staff skilled in Week 4 when he changed Bryce Younger with Andy Dalton was short-lived, as Dalton was 18-of-28 for simply 136 yards, no touchdowns and an interception within the loss. That has the Panthers at 1-4 via 5 weeks.
Saints QB Derek Carr – Photograph by: USA Immediately
Lastly, to wrap up the weekend of NFL motion, the Saints had been in Kansas Metropolis to tackle the Chiefs on Monday Evening Soccer. New Orleans caught round for almost all of the sport regardless of getting little or no from Alvin Kamara, who has starred for the offense to this point this season. After trailing 16-7 at halftime, the Saints obtained inside 16-13 early within the fourth quarter.
However an Xavier Worthy landing run and a late area aim – paired with a late harm to quarterback Derek Carr – helped the Chiefs get to 5-0 with a 26-13 victory. In the meantime, the Saints fell to 2-3 with their third straight loss.
Up to date NFC South Standings After Week 5:
Atlanta Falcons: 3-2 (2-0 within the NFC South)Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-2 (0-1 within the NFC South)New Orleans Saints: 2-3 (1-1 within the NFC South)Carolina Panthers: 1-4 (0-1 within the NFC South)
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— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 4, 2024
Bucs Will Have A Huge Likelihood To Bounce Again In Week 6
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA Immediately
As a lot as that Thursday evening loss to Atlanta stung, Tampa Bay doesn’t have to attend lengthy for an opportunity at redemption. In fact, the staff does actually wait a bit longer to play given the 10-day break between that Thursday evening sport and Sunday’s contest. However this Week 6 matchup will probably be an opportunity for the Bucs to bounce again and assist their place within the NFC South race.
Todd Bowles and his squad will probably be in New Orleans to tackle the Saints, who’ve misplaced three straight and are coping with some key accidents themselves. Derek Carr will miss Sunday’s sport, however no matter who’s below heart for the Saints, the Bucs have to discover a technique to rebound, get to 4-2 and choose up a giant divisional win.
The Bucs received the division at 8-9 in 2022, although that they had a 4-2 document contained in the NFC South. They received it once more at 9-8 final yr whereas as soon as once more ending with a 4-2 mark towards divisional opponents. So, dropping their first two video games towards NFC South foes would make life very troublesome going ahead.
Tampa Bay actually can’t afford to fall to 0-2 in NFC South play, particularly when you think about that Atlanta will probably be closely favored to get to 4-2 general and 3-0 in divisional play this Sunday. They play the 1-4 Panthers, who stay one of many worst groups within the NFL.
