The NFC South has lengthy been a division of runs, and as of late, it’s been the Bucs’ flip to reign over the Saints, Falcons and Panthers. Tampa Bay has gone back-to-back-to-back as division champions, and Todd Bowles and Co. have their sights set on a four-peat in 2024.
After it shaped in 2002, the NFC South didn’t have a repeat winner till 2014 when the Panthers went back-to-back. Actually, Carolina gained the division in 2013, 2014 and 2015, which started a pattern of groups taking up for years at a time. The Falcons gained it in 2016, however the Saints adopted by profitable it ever yr from 2017-2020. And, as Bucs followers know, Tampa Bay has taken it from there, profitable the South in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
So, the place do issues stand with the NFC South by way of Week 4 of the 2024 season? It’s time to interrupt all of it down.
NFC South Replace: Week 4
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and TE Cade Otton – Picture by: USA At the moment
The Bucs got here into Sunday’s Week 4 matchup with the Eagles in joint possession of first place within the NFC South. By the tip of the 1:00 p.m. window of video games, the three-time defending division champions had taken sole possession of the highest spot within the South by way of 4 video games.
They needed to do their half to get there, in fact. In a battle of two banged-up groups at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay raced out to a 24-0 first-half lead and went on to beat Philadelphia 33-16. Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards and put up three complete touchdowns whereas the Bucs protection racked up six sacks in an effort led by Lavonte David.
Total, the Bucs out-gained the Eagles 445-227 and held an enormous benefit in time of possession at 36:17-23:43. With that, Todd Bowles’ squad improved to 3-1 on the younger season.
Whereas the Bucs did their half to say sole possession of the highest spot within the NFC South, in addition they benefitted from a consequence elsewhere. The two-1 Saints and 1-2 Falcons squared off in Atlanta, and that contest got here all the way down to the wire. Two Taysom Hill touchdowns gave New Orleans an early 14-7 benefit, however a 53-yard Younghoe Koo subject aim, a Troy Andersen pick-six and one other Koo subject aim put Atlanta again in entrance.
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Picture by: USA At the moment
The 2 sides traded subject targets from there earlier than an Alvin Kamara landing run with one minute to go had the Saints up 24-23. However a pricey 30-yard defensive go interference penalty was all it took to squander that lead. Kirk Cousins missed three straight passes after that penalty, however Koo got here on and drilled a game-winning 58-yard subject aim to assist the Falcons escape with a win. That acquired Raheem Morris and Co. to 2-2, whereas Dennis Allen’s crew fell to 2-2 with the loss.
And on the backside of the division, the Panthers couldn’t make it back-to-back wins after changing Bryce Younger with Andy Dalton. Internet hosting the 0-3 Bengals, Carolina was in it within the first half, however the center of the sport proved pricey for Dave Canales’ crew.
With the sport tied at 14-14, the Bengals scored to make it 21-14 with one second left within the first half. They then added a landing and a subject aim within the third quarter to go up 31-14. Regardless of getting again inside 31-24, the Panthers couldn’t full the comeback. Evan McPherson hit a 46-yard subject aim late to complete off a 34-24 win and ship Carolina to 1-3.
Up to date NFC South Standings After Week 4:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-1 (0-0 within the NFC South)Atlanta Falcons: 2-2 (1-0 within the NFC South)New Orleans Saints: 2-2 (1-1 within the NFC South)Carolina Panthers: 1-3 (0-1 within the NFC South)
3️⃣-1️⃣ & we’re simply getting began. pic.twitter.com/OYWkbrmbaC
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 29, 2024
Bucs Now Face A Two-Recreation Highway Stretch Towards NFC South Foes
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and LT Tristan Wirfs – Picture by: USA At the moment
It’s clearly early, and the Bucs’ lead within the NFC South by way of 4 weeks means little or no. However Tampa Bay could have a serious alternative to construct on its lead atop the division over the subsequent couple of weeks.
After splitting a two-game homestand, the 3-1 Bucs will now start a two-game street journey the place it’ll face the opposite two high contenders within the NFC South. First, it’s a visit to Atlanta on a brief week for a Thursday Evening Soccer matchup in opposition to the Falcons.
Past the essential reality {that a} win over the Falcons would assist create some separation, there’s additionally the truth that the Saints play the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 5. So, a win mixed with a Kansas Metropolis victory would have Tampa Bay up by two video games within the division early on within the season.
To not point out, divisional video games can come again that can assist you or damage you later within the season in a detailed race. The Bucs noticed that firsthand final yr, and banking division wins when you may get them is paramount.
Following the mini-bye week that comes after their Thursday evening recreation in Week 5, the Bucs will then tackle the Saints in New Orleans on Oct. 13. That’s clearly one other massive recreation in a stretch of massive video games for Tampa Bay, and it goes with out saying {that a} win within the Superdome would bode extraordinarily nicely in the long term.
After these subsequent two NFC South video games for the Bucs, they’ll host the Falcons in Week 8 earlier than an extended stretch of video games outdoors the division. After that Oct. 27 recreation in opposition to Atlanta, Tampa Bay’s remaining NFC South schedule unfolds as follows:
Week 13 (Dec. 1) – at CarolinaWeek 17 (Dec. 29) – vs. CarolinaWeek 18 (Jan. 5) – vs. New Orleans
