The NFC South standings remained unchanged after Week 12, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints all suffered losses. The Atlanta Falcons were the only team in the division to secure a win, defeating the Saints in a divisional matchup.
Currently, the standings are as follows: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6-5, Carolina Panthers at 6-6, Atlanta Falcons at 4-7, and New Orleans Saints at 2-9.
Tampa Bay faced several challenges during their loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football. Quarterback Baker Mayfield left the game twice due to a shoulder injury but returned before ultimately being replaced by Teddy Bridgewater. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, an MRI revealed that Mayfield has a low-grade AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder and may be able to play against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.
Head coach Todd Bowles commented on how the offense would adjust if Bridgewater starts: “He’s a different quarterback, so schematically, we’ll have to do some different things for him to make him feel comfortable within the offense and do a lot of things he likes to do,” said Bowles. “There are some similar things, but there are also some differences that way to make him more comfortable. He’s been here long enough to where if he had to go, we can tweak it the right way for him to be successful.”
Bowles also provided updates on other injured players. Running back Bucky Irving is expected to practice all week with hopes of playing Sunday. “He’s going to practice all this week, and if he’s well by Friday, he’ll play on Sunday,” Bowles said.
Additionally, wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan along with defensive lineman Calijah Kancey are working towards returning before season’s end. “J-Mac, Mike, and Kancey have been working out and training hard…I think they will all be back before the season is out. I just can’t tell you when,” Bowles stated.
The Atlanta Falcons broke their losing streak with their first win since Week 6 behind quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins completed 16 of 23 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns against one interception as Atlanta beat New Orleans 24-10. Head coach Raheem Morris highlighted their running game: “We did a nice job going out, being able to run the football…Even when we noticed some ugly runs early in the game…eventually…they break them.”
Cousins’ performance included a notable 49-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Mooney in the fourth quarter—his longest pass as a Falcon so far. Linebacker Divine Deablo returned from Injured Reserve but played with limited use of his left hand due to injury.
Meanwhile, rookie quarterback Michael Penix is scheduled for ACL surgery this week following another season-ending injury; ESPN reports his recovery could take about nine months.
Morris acknowledged that Penix’s injury will affect offseason planning: “You definitely have to go out and make some different plans when you talk about the offseason…”
For New Orleans, Tyler Shough started at quarterback for only his third time but was unable to lead any touchdown drives despite passing for 243 yards on 30 completions from 43 attempts; he threw one interception as well. The Saints’ only touchdown came from an interception return by their defense.
Kicking struggles led head coach Kellen Moore to evaluate changes after two missed field goals contributed significantly in Sunday’s loss: “It’s a frustrating one…He missed a couple, and that’s unfortunate because there’s been a lot of good.” As a result of these issues Wil Lutz was released Tuesday after tryouts involving several kickers including Justin Tucker; Cade York was signed instead.
Defensively Cam Jordan recorded his career sack number 126 along with two tackles for loss and forced fumble but lamented not recovering another turnover opportunity: “Defense has got to come up with a second turnover…I had a sack-strip-fumble; I’ve got to get that ball.”
Running back Alvin Kamara exited Sunday’s game with what appeared like knee injury; Moore indicated more details would follow after further evaluation: “We will have to let that go through its process…” Devin Neal filled in during Kamara’s absence gaining sixty-one yards from twelve touches while Evan Hull was promoted from practice squad Tuesday alongside activation of tackle Barry Wesley off Injured Reserve.