
The NFC South title remains up for grabs as we enter Week 18 of the NFL Season. Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) and the Atlanta Falcons (8-6) have exchanged the lead in recent weeks, but it’s the Bucs who are in the driver’s seat with one game remaining. The Falcons’ crushing overtime defeat to the Washington Commanders on Sunday has put them in a dire position.
The attempt came up short, and the game was sent to overtime. In OT, Washington’s rookie QB, Jayden Daniels, marched the offense 76 yards down the field for the game-ending touchdown.
Now, the Falcons must defeat a scrappy Panthers team in Week 18 and hope for a Bucs loss to force a tie atop the standings. Atlanta’s 2-0 record over their rival this year grants them an automatic tiebreaker.
For Tampa Bay, it’s following almost the exact script as last year. In ’23, the Bucs started 3-1, fell apart for two months, caught fire in December, and needed a win in their final game to clinch the division. This year, the Bucs started 3-1, fell apart for two months, caught fire in December, and can clinch the division title with a win in Week 18.
The Buccaneers are in with a win. The Falcons have to beat the Panthers and hope the Saints can upset the Bucs. Tampa Bay will enter Week 18 as heavy favorites over New Orleans, but we’ve seen crazier things happen.