Week 12 in the NFC South saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to take on the Atlanta Falcons, while the Carolina Panthers were on the road for a meeting with the New Orleans Saints.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

Over the last two weeks, the Falcons did not look like a team that reflected their record, as they had been clicking on both sides of the ball. One of the priorities for the Bucs was to protect quarterback Jameis Winston, and the offensive line succeeded. Allowing no sacks on the day gave Winston enough time to round out 313 yards through the air for three touchdowns, including one to defensive lineman Vita Vea. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bucs sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan six times. While Winston had two interceptions of his own, the Bucs defense had an interception and forced two fumbles, including one for a touchdown,. The Buccaneers will be on the road next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in hopes of starting a win streak.

New Orleans Saints (9-2)

Divisional games are always difficult no matter what the other team’s record is. When the Panthers came to New Orleans they were a .500 team that has looked every bit of a team that has won half of their games, and lost the other half. It was a last second field goal from Will Lutz, as the Saints went marching down the field, that secured their win 34-31. Wide receiver Michael Thomas joined Marvin Harrison as the only players with 100-plus receptions in their teams first 11 games of the season in the Super Bowl era. The Saints will travel to Atlanta to play the Falcons on Sunday Night Football next week, and look to increase the cushion on their division lead.

Carolina Panthers (5-6)

The Panthers looked good on offense throughout the game. Their defense just couldn’t stop the Saints. Quarterback Kyle Allen was 23-for-36 for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Christian McCaffrey had 133 yards from scrimmage and added two touchdowns to his season total (one rushing, one receiving.) D.J. Moore hauled in six catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers will travel back home next week for the visiting Washington Redskins, in what could be a trap game.

Atlanta Falcons (3-8)

The Falcons were surging heading into their game with the Bucs, but they struggled to really get anything going. Winston threw his 19th interception of the season early in the game, and the Falcons looked to be starting this game on the same pace that they’d played the past two weeks. That never happened. The Bucs never let off the gas and while Ryan was able to pass for 271 yards, their only passing touchdown came from Matt Schaub late in the fourth quarter. The Falcons will stay home next week for a Sunday Night Football showdown against the Saints.

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