NFC South Update: Where The Race Stands After Week 4

The NFC South has long been a division of runs, and as of late, it’s been the Bucs’ turn to reign over the Saints, Falcons and Panthers. Tampa Bay has gone back-to-back-to-back as division champions, and Todd Bowles and Co. have their sights set on a four-peat in 2024.

After it formed in 2002, the NFC South didn’t have a repeat winner until 2014 when the Panthers went back-to-back. In fact, Carolina won the division in 2013, 2014 and 2015, which began a trend of teams taking over for years at a time. The Falcons won it in 2016, but the Saints followed by winning it ever year from 2017-2020. And, as Bucs fans know, Tampa Bay has taken it from there, winning the South in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

So, where do things stand with the NFC South through Week 4 of the 2024 season? It’s time to break it all down.

NFC South Update: Week 4

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs came into Sunday’s Week 4 matchup with the Eagles in joint possession of first place in the NFC South. By the end of the 1:00 p.m. window of games, the three-time defending division champions had taken sole possession of the top spot in the South through four games.

They had to do their part to get there, of course. In a battle of two banged-up teams at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay raced out to a 24-0 first-half lead and went on to beat Philadelphia 33-16. Baker Mayfield threw for 347 yards and put up three total touchdowns while the Bucs defense racked up six sacks in an effort led by Lavonte David.

Overall, the Bucs out-gained the Eagles 445-227 and held a massive advantage in time of possession at 36:17-23:43. With that, Todd Bowles’ squad improved to 3-1 on the young season.

While the Bucs did their part to claim sole possession of the top spot in the NFC South, they also benefitted from a result elsewhere. The 2-1 Saints and 1-2 Falcons squared off in Atlanta, and that contest came down to the wire. Two Taysom Hill touchdowns gave New Orleans an early 14-7 advantage, but a 53-yard Younghoe Koo field goal, a Troy Andersen pick-six and another Koo field goal put Atlanta back in front.

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Photo by: USA Today

The two sides traded field goals from there before an Alvin Kamara touchdown run with one minute to go had the Saints up 24-23. But a costly 30-yard defensive pass interference penalty was all it took to squander that lead. Kirk Cousins missed three straight passes after that penalty, but Koo came on and drilled a game-winning 58-yard field goal to help the Falcons escape with a win. That got Raheem Morris and Co. to 2-2, while Dennis Allen’s team fell to 2-2 with the loss.

And at the bottom of the division, the Panthers couldn’t make it back-to-back wins after replacing Bryce Young with Andy Dalton. Hosting the 0-3 Bengals, Carolina was in it in the first half, but the middle of the game proved costly for Dave Canales’ team.

With the game tied at 14-14, the Bengals scored to make it 21-14 with one second left in the first half. They then added a touchdown and a field goal in the third quarter to go up 31-14. Despite getting back within 31-24, the Panthers couldn’t complete the comeback. Evan McPherson hit a 46-yard field goal late to finish off a 34-24 win and send Carolina to 1-3.

Updated NFC South Standings After Week 4:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-1 (0-0 in the NFC South)
Atlanta Falcons: 2-2 (1-0 in the NFC South)
New Orleans Saints: 2-2 (1-1 in the NFC South)
Carolina Panthers: 1-3 (0-1 in the NFC South)

3️⃣-1️⃣ & we’re just getting started. pic.twitter.com/OYWkbrmbaC

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 29, 2024

Bucs Now Face A Two-Game Road Stretch Against NFC South Foes

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

It’s obviously early, and the Bucs’ lead in the NFC South through four weeks means very little. But Tampa Bay will have a major opportunity to build on its lead atop the division over the next couple of weeks.

After splitting a two-game homestand, the 3-1 Bucs will now begin a two-game road trip where it’ll face the other two top contenders in the NFC South. First, it’s a trip to Atlanta on a short week for a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Falcons.

Beyond the basic fact that a win over the Falcons would help create some separation, there’s also the fact that the Saints play the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 5. So, a win combined with a Kansas City victory would have Tampa Bay up by two games in the division early on in the season.

Not to mention, divisional games can come back to help you or hurt you later in the season in a close race. The Bucs saw that firsthand last year, and banking division wins when you can get them is paramount.

Following the mini-bye week that comes after their Thursday night game in Week 5, the Bucs will then take on the Saints in New Orleans on Oct. 13. That’s obviously another big game in a stretch of big games for Tampa Bay, and it goes without saying that a win in the Superdome would bode extremely well in the long run.

After these next two NFC South games for the Bucs, they’ll host the Falcons in Week 8 before a long stretch of games outside the division. After that Oct. 27 game against Atlanta, Tampa Bay’s remaining NFC South schedule unfolds as follows:

Week 13 (Dec. 1) – at Carolina
Week 17 (Dec. 29) – vs. Carolina
Week 18 (Jan. 5) – vs. New Orleans