The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can still win the NFC South, and in this weak of a division, that may not change until the final week of the season. Still, another late-game collapse is once again making the task a lot more difficult than it needs to be.
Tampa blew a perfect opportunity to beat the Steelers in Week 6. Instead, they made late-game, self-inflicted mistakes that let the Steelers steal the game.
The loss keeps the Buccaneers at the bottom of the NFC South, but fortunately, their season isn't lost just yet. They are still only two games behind the division-leading Panthers, and they'll face them in Week 7.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves all alone at the bottom of the NFC South after six weeks
Carolina Panthers: 3-2
The NFC South is currently controlled by the Panthers, who knocked off a Jalen Hurts-less Eagles team. The Panthers are starting to play well together, and that's trouble for the rest of the division. This coming week, they play the Buccaneers. A win could be the first nail in the Buccaneers' 2026 coffin.
Atlanta Falcons: 2-4
The Falcons came up short against the Bears on Sunday, losing 31-23. Atlanta continues to show that they are progressing in the right direction. The Falcons may have four losses, but for the first three weeks, they didn't have a starting-caliber quarterback. With Michael Penix Jr. back, the Falcons are keeping pace with the Panthers, but more importantly they are getting better and more consistent, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
The Falcons will get a huge test in Week 7. They will host the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are looking like the best team in the league right now. Can the Falcons improve? Maybe, but it's an opportunity for the rest of the division to create space or eliminate it.
New Orleans Saints: 2-4
In another tight divisional game, the Saints rebounded from a Week 5 loss to beat the New York Giants 34-27. The Saints are playing good football, but like the Buccaneers, they are making simple mistakes that are keeping them from winning consistently. Tyler Shough has been playing up and down this year, but he is starting to trend forward and Week 6 saw him settle down more.
The Saints are going to return home in Week 7 to face the Steelers. A loss to Pittsburgh would help the Buccaneers obviously, but that's because the way Tampa is playing right now, they are likely to lose in Week 7.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1-5
The Buccaneers will face their first division challenge of the year when they face the Panthers in Week 7. It's an early must-win game for Tampa, who would drop three games behind their division rival with a loss.
Tampa can't keep on crossing their fingers that the other teams in the division will lose. They need to take advantage of each week, and they need to defeat NFC South teams when they are on the schedule.
Add us as a preferred source on Google