NFC South Update: Buccaneers Look to Rebound, Falcons Stay Focused, Saints Rookie Gaining Confidence
Buccaneers: Time to Move Forward
The Buccaneers’ Week 14 loss to the Saints wasn’t just a missed opportunity-it was a gut punch that dropped them into a tie with the Panthers atop the NFC South. But if there’s one thing we know about Todd Bowles, it’s that he doesn’t dwell on setbacks. He’s already turned the page.
“We lost yesterday, and we’ve got to get over it,” Bowles said bluntly. “We’ve got to be big boys, own what we did, and get better at the things we need to get better at.”
That’s not coach-speak-it’s accountability. Bowles knows this team has been through adversity before, but he also understands that every season brings its own challenges.
The Bucs are on a short week, and that might be a blessing in disguise. There’s no time to sulk-just a quick turnaround and a shot to erase the sour taste from Sunday.
“They should be upset,” Bowles added. “We as coaches own what we do, and as a team, we’ve got to come out Thursday and correct it.”
The margin for error in the NFC South is razor-thin, and with just a few weeks left, Tampa Bay will need to tighten up quickly if they want to stay in the playoff mix.
Falcons: Morris Locked In on the Team, Not the Talk
In Atlanta, head coach Raheem Morris isn’t wasting energy worrying about his job status. His focus is squarely on his players-and finishing strong.
“You want to give it back to them,” Morris said, referencing linebacker Kaden Elliss, who played through injury in the Falcons' recent game against Seattle. “Those things matter to me, and those players matter to me, so I’m going to go give them everything I got.”
That mindset has earned him strong backing from Falcons owner Arthur Blank. According to Morris, the support from the top has been unwavering.
“He is 100% in support,” Morris said. “His ability to listen to us, be there for us, be in it with us-it’s absolutely 100% awesome. It’s an all-hands-on-deck mentality with the organization.”
Morris also revealed that he keeps Blank in the loop on game plans before and after each contest, giving the owner a clear window into what the team is trying to accomplish-and what went right or wrong.
“I love being able to do that with him,” Morris said. “So he’s not sitting in the box wondering what’s going on. After the game, we can sit in front of each other and talk about what we executed-or didn’t-to win a football game.”
As for injuries, Morris said wide receiver Drake London (knee) and defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus are both day-to-day. He expressed optimism about Dorlus being available for the upcoming game.
While there’s chatter around the league about a potential coaching change in Atlanta, Morris isn’t caught up in the noise. He’s focused on what’s in front of him-getting this team ready to compete down the stretch.
Elsewhere in Atlanta, tight end Feleipe Franks was fined $8,111 for taunting.
Saints: Rookie QB Tyler Shough Gaining Ground
The Saints may have found something intriguing in rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. After stepping in and helping guide New Orleans to a win over Tampa Bay, Shough is starting to feel more at home in the offense.
“Every single practice, every single week, I feel my confidence growing more and more,” Shough said. “Just the ability to go out there and put points on the board in any way we can.”
It wasn’t just about stats-it was about poise. Against a tough defense and in less-than-ideal conditions, the rookie showed flashes of what could be.
“We’re just really proud of everybody,” Shough added. “Especially against a defense like that, in those conditions, to turn out a win.”
It’s still early in Shough’s journey, but he’s showing signs of growth with each rep. That’s exactly what the Saints want to see as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
Bottom Line: The NFC South remains one of the league’s tightest divisions, and with just a few weeks left, every snap matters. The Bucs are trying to bounce back, the Falcons are staying focused amid outside noise, and the Saints may have a young quarterback worth watching. December football in the South is heating up-and the drama is far from over.