NFC South Roundup: Saints Find Spark in Shough, Bucs Miss Their Moment, Panthers Look Ahead
Buccaneers: Missed Chances and Costly Mistakes
Sunday’s loss to the Saints didn’t shock Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles-and honestly, it shouldn’t have shocked anyone familiar with NFC South football. These division games are rarely predictable, and Bowles made that clear postgame.
“It’s a division game; they always play us tough,” Bowles said. “We don’t look at records. When we play division games, they know us and we know them.”
That familiarity bred frustration for Tampa Bay. The Bucs had opportunities across the board-offense, defense, special teams, and even on the sideline-but couldn’t capitalize.
Bowles didn’t sugarcoat it. The execution wasn’t there, and the coaching wasn’t sharp enough to make up for it.
“We had situations come up where we didn’t make any plays,” Bowles said. “We could have made better calls. There’s a myriad of things that could have happened that we lost this ballgame.”
One of the game’s most pivotal moments came late, when rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had a chance to put the Bucs ahead-and dropped it.
“You know, I can’t help but feel I let them down today,” Egbuka said. “I’m on this team for one reason, and it’s to catch the ball.”
It was a tough moment for the first-round pick, who’s shown flashes of the talent that made him a top selection. But in a game where every inch mattered, that drop loomed large.
Adding to the frustration, the NFL handed down fines for unsportsmanlike conduct: Bucky Irving was hit with a $6,349 penalty for a violent gesture, while Baker Mayfield was fined $14,491 for a similar infraction. Discipline-on and off the field-continues to be an issue for a Bucs team trying to stay in the playoff conversation.
Panthers: Brooks Eyes Comeback, Young Core Shows Grit
It’s been a long road back for Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks. A year ago, he tore his ACL-his second time suffering the injury-on a non-contact play against the Eagles. Now, he’s focused on proving he belongs in this league.
“Honestly, it just makes me see how far I’ve come,” Brooks said. “I feel pretty much almost 100 percent again.”
Brooks was candid about the play that led to the injury, admitting he made the wrong read and chased what he called “fool’s gold.”
“My read was supposed to keep me inside,” he said. “I chased... and I was gonna try to outrun the DB. But it was just the wrong read.”
Now, he’s targeting a return for OTAs in 2026. For Brooks, it’s about more than just getting healthy-it’s about earning a role and proving his value.
“I feel like I haven’t gotten that chance in the league to prove myself,” he said. “And that’s OK.
It’s a part of God’s plan. And I know that when I get out there...
I’ll be able to get it done.”
On the defensive side, the Panthers were also hit with fines: DE Thomas Incoom was penalized $5,722 for a late hit, and safety Lathan Ransom was fined $5,996 for using the helmet.
In terms of injuries, there’s some optimism. Head coach Dave Canales said cornerback Jaycee Horn and linebacker Claudin Cherelus are “trending in the right direction” to suit up this week. However, right guard Robert Hunt won’t have his practice window opened just yet, though that could change before season’s end.
Saints: Rookie QB Shough Shows Poise in Big Win
For the Saints, Sunday’s win was more than just another notch in the win column-it was another step forward for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Since taking over as the starter, the second-round pick has now led New Orleans to two victories, including Sunday’s road win over a playoff hopeful.
Head coach Kellen Moore praised Shough’s ability to handle the moment, especially in tough conditions.
“These are great opportunities for him to learn,” Moore said. “Playing on the road against a really good opponent... the weather obviously became a little bit of a factor. I thought his resiliency was really special.”
Veteran linebacker Demario Davis took it a step further, calling out the rookie’s “it” factor.
“It’s that savviness to make heads-up plays,” Davis said. “To have that level of ice in your veins to make plays when plays kind of could be dead.”
Davis pointed to Shough’s ability to extend plays, convert in key situations, and shift seamlessly between being a mobile threat and a quick-thinking pocket passer.
“To be able to turn into that pocket passer that can read the defense quick and get the ball out... it’s been great to see him make those plays,” Davis added. “And we need him to continue to make those.”
The Bottom Line
In a division that’s been defined by inconsistency this season, Sunday’s results offered a glimpse of what’s possible-and what still needs fixing. The Saints are starting to find something with Shough under center.
The Bucs are still figuring out how to finish games and clean up the details. And the Panthers, while out of contention, are laying the groundwork for the future-on both sides of the ball.
The NFC South remains wide open in terms of identity, but one thing’s clear: the margin for error is razor-thin, and every play matters. Just ask Emeka Egbuka.