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NFC South Race Week Nine: Who Has The Edge?
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- NFC South Race Week Nine: Who Has The Edge?
The 2026 NFL season is eight weeks in, and the divisions are starting to take shape. In the NFC South, the race to the division crown is on. Which teams are in the hunt, and who's already on the outside looking in?
Who Has The Edge: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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After a slow start without a win behind an injured Baker Mayfield , the Buccaneers have climbed from last to second with consecutive divisional victories.
Against Carolina, Tampa Bay didn't need much from Mayfield as its defense and running game powered a 43-13 win. Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell combined for 258 rushing yards.
Tampa used the same formula against Atlanta in a downpour, handing the ball to Irving and Gainwell 52 times for 310 yards. Mayfield attempted just three passes for -2 yards, yet Tampa dominated.
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Those wins put the Buccaneers in second place entering a difficult Week Nine matchup with Chicago .
Who's Losing Ground: The Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta has repeatedly had opportunities to take control of the NFC South but hasn't capitalized.
The Falcons failed to take advantage of Carolina's Week Five bye, losing 30-23 in overtime to a Baltimore team without Lamar Jackson. They followed that by losing to Chicago as Atlanta's defense waited until the fourth quarter to find any rhythm,
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A victory over the previously undefeated 49ers seemed like a breakthrough, especially after Carolina lost to Tampa Bay. Instead, Atlanta followed it with perhaps its most disappointing offensive performance of the season.
Tampa Bay shut out the Falcons as the Buccaneers rushed for 310 yards. Atlanta's repeated three-and-outs also left its defense on the field far too long.
Now in third place, Atlanta faces Cincinnati in Madrid with fewer opportunities to keep pace.
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Who's Maintaining Position: The Carolina Panthers
Despite consecutive losses, Carolina remains atop the NFC South with one fewer loss and a better winning percentage than its competition.
The Panthers followed their 43-13 loss to Tampa Bay with another loss to Green Bay. In between losses, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was fired.
Carolina now hosts the 6-2 Denver Broncos , who enter as 2.5-point favorites. A win would help the Panthers stabilize their season and maintain control of the division.
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Who's Stuck In Place: The New Orleans Saints
At 2-5, New Orleans remains within mathematical striking distance but has done little recently to suggest a run is coming.
The Saints have lost four of their last five, including a Week Seven international loss to Pittsburgh in Paris. Their only recent victory came against the 4-2-1 New York Giants in a game that was closer than expected.
Coming out of their bye, the Saints face Cleveland and backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders , giving Kellen Moore 's team another chance to regain momentum.
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The NFC South remains available, but Atlanta is running out of chances to capitalize. After repeated chances to take the lead, the Falcons now need to string together wins before the division starts leaving them behind.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
