The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 24-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5 gave the NFC South a different look, even if the standings still have a strange twist to them.
Tampa Bay handled its business early at AT&T Stadium, then had the rest of the weekend to watch the division sort itself out. The Carolina Panthers were off as well, but because they were on a bye week, they remain technically atop the NFC South at 2-2.
The Atlanta Falcons nearly added drama of their own in a tight one with the Baltimore Ravens, but they came out on the wrong side of a 30-23 overtime loss. That leaves Atlanta in second place, sitting with the same number of wins as Carolina but one more loss because of the bye-week difference.
New Orleans took another hit, falling 23-13 to the Minnesota Vikings and slipping to 1-4. That result moved Tampa Bay up to third in the division, ahead of the Saints thanks to New Orleans’ division loss to Atlanta and a far worse point differential.
What makes this even more interesting for the Bucs is how close the race already is. With Atlanta losing on Sunday night, Tampa Bay is only one game behind the NFC South lead. It’s an early-season setup that leaves plenty still up for grabs if the Buccaneers can string together more wins.
Next up is Pittsburgh. Tampa Bay returns to Raymond James Stadium next Sunday for a matchup with the Steelers, with a chance to get to 2-4.
A win would keep the climb going. A loss would drop the Bucs to 1-5 and send the pressure right back through the building.
In Other News...
Jalon Daniels Showed The Bucs Something They May Need Soon
Jalon Daniels gave Tampa Bay a look it may not be able to ignore for long against Dallas, and it started with the kind of poise and movement the Buccaneers have spent plenty of time valuing at quarterback. On his first offensive drive, Daniels showed situational awareness, used his mobility to stay on schedule and helped drive the offense with several sharp decisions, while offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was credited with making effective play calls and adjustments that kept the Cowboys off balance.
The deeper takeaway for the Bucs is that Daniels did more than just manage the series, he flashed the sort of improvisational ability that can change a game when the structure breaks down. He also connected on a huge downfield play with Tez Johnson, underscoring why Tampa Bay may eventually want that kind of threat available as the season moves along, even if the full picture of how far that can go remains to be seen. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Fans Already Knew Mike Evans Still Had This In Him
Mike Evans leaving for San Francisco was one of the bigger offseason jolts for Buccaneers fans, but it has not taken long for him to remind everyone why he was such a fixture in Tampa Bay. The veteran wideout has quickly settled in as a reliable target for Brock Purdy, bringing the same steady production and physical edge that made him so valuable for the Buccaneers over the years.
The more striking part has been how he has done it while clearly dealing with some wear and tear. Evans kept producing in Week 5 and has stayed right in the middle of the 49ers' passing game through the first month-plus of the season, showing that his game still travels even after the change of scenery. For Tampa Bay, it is another reminder that the receiver they once built around still has plenty left in the tank. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Just Found What Could Steady This Season
Through the Buccaneers first four games of the 2026 season, the offense had been fighting itself as much as any opponent, with questions hanging over both the quarterback play and the protection in front of him. Then came a cleaner showing up front against Dallas, the kind of performance that can make an entire operation look more stable in a hurry.
The offensive line held up far better in that game, giving rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels room to work and opening the door for Bucky Irving to find room as a runner. For a Tampa Bay team that had been searching for something to settle the unit, the improvement up front stood out as the clearest reason the offense looked more like itself. [Read more 🡒]