Alas.
There is an 83% chance that Tampa Bay is going to win the division and go to the playoffs; only the New Orleans Saints stand in their way. For the second time this season, Atlanta lost control of its destiny and allowed a team they swept to control their fate.
Here’s the Week 17 NFC South Review.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Week 17 Result: Buccaneers 48 – Panthers 14
Week 18 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Baker Mayfield threw five touchdowns and left it all on the field in the Buccaneers’ convincing victory over their division opponent. Tampa Bay has had a volatile season, but they have come out stronger on the other side and look ready to compete in the playoffs.
The team can’t get too ahead of itself. A loss this weekend would open the door for the Falcons, who are nipping at the team’s heels at the finish line. If they can take care of business, this will be the fourth year in a row that Tampa Bay has won the NFC South, making it the most dominant streak in the division’s history.
New Orleans Saints (5-11)
Week 17 Result: Saints 10 – Raiders 25
Week 18 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The New Orleans Saints followed up their zero-point performance with a loss to the Raiders. The interim head coach boost has been on life support for weeks–this team is cooked.
It’s anyone’s guess what the Saints will do this offseason. There are few options at quarterback, and none will fall to the Saints draft pick. Bloated deals and cap gymnastics have caught up to the team. Before they can think about any of this, they’ll need to survive their game against the anticipated division winners.
Carolina Panthers (4-12)
Week 17 Result: Panthers 14 – Buccaneers 48
Week 18 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers could not make life easier for the Falcons as the Buccaneers were able to run away with this win. Bryce Young has produced a couple of highlights every week, but the total body of work is still unimpressive, and not one franchises like to bet on the future.
Alternatively, the team doesn’t really have a choice, as this upcoming quarterback market is slim pickings. The Panthers still doubled their win total from a year ago, and they’ll face a team they seemingly always manage to beat at least once a year.
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Week 17 Result: Falcons 24 – Commanders 30
Week 18 Opponent: Carolina Panthers
They blew it (again). It’s been the season of second chances for Atlanta, a second chance for Terry Fontenot to execute a quarterback transition, a second chance for Kirk Cousins to prove he’s a playoff quarterback, a second chance for Raheem Morris to prove he’s head coach material. There was even a second chance for the team to control its destiny to the playoffs.
Everyone squandered their opportunities, and the Falcons are staring down the barrel of yet another disappointing season. The Falcons had but a handful of convincing wins this year, as most were heart-attack-inducing. Margins are always thin in this league, but the lack of competent coaching and play was a theme that became impossible to ignore. There is still a tiny chance that the Falcons could fall into the playoffs, but there’s also a chance they finish with their seventh losing record in a row to go along with their playoff drought.
The NFC South is the premier division for chaos and entertainment. The product is unmatched, and even the losing franchises can get in on the fun. There’s only one week left in the regular season, can Tampa Bay finish the job?