NFC South Roundup: Egbuka’s Growing Pains, Shough’s Rise, and the Panthers’ Playoff Push
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had a moment he’ll want back in the Buccaneers’ narrow 24-20 loss to the Saints in Week 14 - a dropped touchdown that could’ve changed the game’s outcome. But inside the building, there’s no panic. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard made it clear: the team’s belief in Egbuka hasn’t wavered one bit.
“I don’t even think it’s really confidence - he’s a very confident guy,” Grizzard said. “What we’ve asked him to do as a rookie gets taken for granted a lot - even from the coaching staff.”
And he’s not wrong. Egbuka has been asked to line up across all three receiver positions - a tall order for any rookie, let alone one still adjusting to NFL speed. That kind of versatility doesn’t come easily, and the Bucs know they’ve got a player who’s putting in the work and showing up in big moments, even if this one didn’t go his way.
Grizzard emphasized that the team isn’t backing off. They’re going to keep feeding Egbuka the ball - early, often, and especially when the game is on the line.
“He’s won games for us,” Grizzard said. “We have all the confidence in the world in him.”
For his part, Egbuka didn’t duck the moment. He owned it.
“I’m on this team for one reason, and that’s to catch the ball, and I didn’t,” he said.
That kind of accountability is exactly what you want to see from a young player. The Bucs are betting that this drop will be a footnote in what they believe will be a long and productive career.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Over in New Orleans, there’s a growing belief that the Saints may have found something in rookie quarterback Tyler Shough - and it’s not just the fans starting to take notice. Former Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu took to social media to voice his support for the second-round pick, and he didn’t hold back.
“He showed me something today!!!” Mathieu wrote.
“His numbers won’t wow you but it’s the critical situation football he’s winning! This city should absolutely get behind him & embrace him as QB for (the) next decade!!”
That’s high praise from a veteran who’s seen his share of quarterbacks come and go. And while Shough’s stat lines may not jump off the page, it’s the poise in pressure moments that’s catching attention. The Saints have been in tight games, and Shough has shown a knack for making the right decisions when it matters most.
It’s still early, but when a respected voice like Mathieu is calling for the franchise to build around a young quarterback, it’s worth paying attention. The Saints may have stumbled into their next long-term answer under center - now it’s up to the front office to support that development.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Don’t look now, but the Carolina Panthers are tied for first in the NFC South at 7-6 - and they’re treating every game down the stretch like it’s win-or-go-home. Head coach Dave Canales isn’t sugarcoating the stakes.
“All of them, every single one from the beginning of the season,” Canales said when asked about the importance of the final four games. “Every game is a championship opportunity, just like the one we have in front of us. And we have to maintain that heightened focus and awareness of how important they are.”
Canales has been preaching urgency all year, and now it’s paying off. He knows how quickly a season can slip away - how one overlooked game in October can cost you a home playoff game in January. That’s why he’s hammering home the message: don’t let any opportunity slip.
The Panthers are also entering Week 15 with something every playoff hopeful dreams of - a clean bill of health. Canales gave major credit to VP of player health and performance Denny Kellington and director of performance Josh Hingst for keeping the roster intact this deep into the season.
“This is where I can give Josh Hingst and Denny Kellington a lot of credit,” Canales said. “We didn’t have any Thursday games, so we had to be smart about how we managed the roster. We had to modify, make adjustments every day going into practice.”
That meant tailoring reps to individual players, scaling back when necessary, and finding ways to keep guys fresh without sacrificing preparation. It’s a balancing act, and so far, Carolina’s staff has nailed it.
With four games left, a healthy roster, and a division title within reach, the Panthers are in position to make some noise. Every snap matters now - and Carolina is treating it that way.
Final Takeaway
The NFC South remains a three-team race with everything still up for grabs. Tampa Bay is sticking by its young playmakers, New Orleans may have found its future at quarterback, and Carolina is peaking at the right time. December football is here - and in this division, every drive feels like a playoff series.