Tampa Bay's 40-Point Rout Upends the NFC South Race

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Tampa Bay’s Stunning Win Deepens NFC South Uncertainty

Tampa Bay delivered the weekend’s most surprising final score, winning on the road with a starting quarterback who threw for no more than 64 yards while the team scored 40 points. The result came against a Carolina team many viewed as the potential leader in the NFC South.

The loss makes the division increasingly difficult to predict. Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay remain difficult to separate, and divisional matchups feel like coin flips regardless of records or perceived talent. Games involving the Saints, Bucs, Panthers and Falcons consistently produce unexpected outcomes.

Carolina appeared to have separated itself after beating Philadelphia on the road, only to get torched by Tampa Bay. The Bucs leaned heavily on the running game, giving Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell a combined workload of around 30 carries while Tucker also contributed. Tampa Bay ultimately rushed for roughly 300 yards.

The best approach to future NFC South matchups may simply be to expect the unexpected, especially when the point spread is only two or three points. Even when Tom Brady was leading Tampa Bay and winning the Super Bowl, the Bucs repeatedly struggled against the Saints despite New Orleans’ problems.

Confidence in Carolina has been shaken, but the Panthers remain the current choice to win the division. Their formula should center on giving the ball to Hubbard, allowing Bryce Young to manage the game and asking him to take occasional deep shots. Still, this was the second time this season that Carolina lost by around 40 points.

Atlanta also secured an important win, while the Saints appear to be finished. New Orleans had several opportunities to beat Pittsburgh in Paris but could not capitalize, even though the Saints did not necessarily deserve to win.