The NFC South has produced unlikely division champions in current seasons, so there’s little purpose for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons to concede something this early within the season.
The Buccaneers and the visiting Falcons could have loads to play for of their Week 8 assembly Sunday in Tampa regardless of the maths.
Tampa Bay (2-5) jolted its season again to life final week with a 43-13 rout of the Carolina Panthers on the highway. The Bucs rushed for 258 yards and quarterback Baker Mayfield returned from a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand.
Tampa Bay has overcome gradual begins earlier than below coach Todd Bowles. It gained the NFC South yearly from 2022-24 regardless of falling beneath .500 in November every season.
The workforce’s hopes of profitable one other South title may hinge on beating division rivals, together with an Atlanta workforce that has gained 5 of the final seven conferences, most lately a 29-28 choice final December through which tight finish Kyle Pitts Sr. caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
“He is torched us fairly good the previous few ballgames,” Bowles stated of Pitts. “We have got to do a greater job. He is a terrific athlete and a terrific participant, however we have got to do a greater job defensively.”
Mayfield eased again into motion final week, finishing 7 of 11 passes for 64 yards and a landing. The 31-year-old has thrown 17 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in seven profession video games towards Atlanta, however he has but to beat the Falcons at residence in three tries.
Mayfield additionally hopes to ship Tampa Bay’s first residence victory of the season. The Bucs are 0-4 at Raymond James Stadium.
“We’re very keen” to win at residence, he stated. “It is not nearly that. Clearly, this division is extraordinarily necessary, however we undoubtedly must get our mojo again at residence. … These are groups that know one another so properly. We all know (the Falcons’ protection) performs aggressive. Once they acknowledge performs, they make performs on the ball.”
The Falcons (3-4) additionally breathed life into their season final Sunday, knocking off the beforehand undefeated San Francisco 49ers 29-20 at residence. Atlanta’s protection pressured 4 turnovers and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. posted his second straight sport of three landing passes.
Penix, who was named NFC Offensive Participant of the Week on Wednesday, has thrown for 1,157 yards and 9 touchdowns in 5 video games since getting back from {a partially} torn ACL that ended his 2025 season. The 26-year-old Tampa native enters the homecoming sport using the most effective stretch of his younger profession.
“It is superior,” Penix stated of profitable the convention weekly honors. “You’ll be able to’t do this by your self. It reveals the blokes I’ve round me, the blokes we’ve got on this constructing. They make my job simpler, nevertheless it’s an superior award, and I am grateful for it.”
Penix hasn’t thrown an interception since his third cross of the season, at Inexperienced Bay on Sept. 24.
Presenting a problem will probably be a stout Tampa Bay run protection, which ranks second within the league with 77.3 dashing yards allowed per sport.
“They’re excellent. The tape jumps out at you,” Atlanta coach Kevin Stefanski stated of the Bucs’ protection. “Simply wanting on the stats will get your consideration and you then watch the tape and the tape matches the statistics. They’re arduous to run towards, arduous to throw towards. It is a terrific problem.”
Atlanta operating again Brian Robinson (hamstring) did not observe on Wednesday, becoming a member of cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring) and linebacker Divine Deablo (forearm) as non-participants.
After dashing for a season-high 88 yards towards Carolina, Tampa Bay operating again Kenneth Gainwell (hip) didn’t observe Wednesday. Offensive sort out Luke Goedeke (calf) additionally sat out.
–Area Stage Media
