NFC South Rundown: Buccaneers Reeling, Panthers Regrouping, and Saints Riding Rookie Composure
Buccaneers: Accountability Time in Tampa
The Buccaneers had a two-touchdown lead slip through their fingers in a gut-wrenching one-point loss to the Falcons, and head coach Todd Bowles didn’t mince words afterward. This wasn’t your typical postgame presser - it was a challenge, a call to the locker room to look inward and take ownership.
“You don’t make excuses,” Bowles said. “You’ve got to care enough where the losses hurt. It’s more than a job - it’s your livelihood.”
Bowles made it clear: the coaching staff has done what they can. At this point in the season, it’s on the players to execute and hold each other accountable.
He emphasized that it’s not the entire roster falling short - just a small group. But in the NFL, a few missed assignments or lapses in focus can be the difference between a win and a season-altering loss.
“This is a player-driven team in the last four or five weeks,” Bowles said. “Until they start holding each other accountable and doing the little things right... it’s not going to get right.”
Quarterback Baker Mayfield took the loss personally, placing the blame squarely on himself.
“This one is going to haunt me,” Mayfield said. “It falls on my shoulders.
It’s not the defense’s fault. It’s my fault.”
Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes are still mathematically alive, but the margin for error is gone. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the Bucs need more than just effort - they need execution, leadership, and, above all, accountability.
In the midst of the team’s struggles, there’s also a coaching change on the horizon. Pass game specialist and assistant quarterbacks coach Jordan Somerville is heading to the college ranks, reportedly set to become Cal’s new offensive coordinator. It’s a notable move for Somerville, who’s been viewed as a rising mind in offensive circles.
Panthers: Still Standing, Still Fighting
For the Panthers, Week 15 was a missed opportunity. A win over the Saints would’ve set up a potential division-clinching scenario against the Buccaneers in Week 16. Instead, they’re left regrouping after a frustrating loss - but not defeated.
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown’s message was clear: keep pushing.
“It’s great to still have everything in front of us, right?” Brown said.
“You’ve got to put this loss behind us and get back to work. Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us.”
Brown pointed to the team’s resilience all season long. Carolina started the year 1-3 and has been grinding ever since. Now, with a shot at redemption against Tampa Bay, the stakes are high - and the mindset hasn’t changed.
“Nothing has come easy for us this season,” Brown added. “So now we’ve got to go back and go to work.”
The Panthers will be without defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton next week after he injured his hamstring during a walkthrough. Head coach Dave Canales said Wharton tripped over a teammate during the session - a tough break for a defense that’s already been fighting through adversity.
Saints: Rookie QB Steps Up in the Clutch
It wasn’t always pretty, but the Saints pulled off a comeback win over the Panthers thanks in large part to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. The second-round pick showed poise beyond his years, leading multiple key drives and delivering in crunch time.
Head coach Kellen Moore was impressed - not just with the throws, but with the mindset.
“Just his steadiness,” Moore said. “That’s really special. It’s really important when you play quarterback in this league.”
Moore pointed out that the NFL is full of tough downs and missed opportunities. What separates the good from the great is how a quarterback bounces back and capitalizes on the next chance. Shough did exactly that.
The Saints are still in the thick of the NFC South race, and if Shough continues to grow in real time, New Orleans might have found something special at the most important position on the field.
What’s Next
The NFC South remains a chaotic, wide-open division. The Buccaneers are soul-searching, the Panthers are clinging to hope, and the Saints are leaning on a rookie with ice in his veins. With just a few weeks left, the margin for error is razor-thin - and every snap, every decision, every moment matters.