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Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New York GiantsGetty Images Sport
Alastair Talbot

NFL Thanksgiving Week Grades NFC South: Who Will Pull Away in the Battle For the Division Crown?

How have the teams in the NFC South performed as we enter the final stretch of the season?

The NFC South remains one of the most unpredictable divisions in the league, with teams struggling to maintain consistency.

The Atlanta Falcons are likely to claim the division title, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' playoff hopes are waning due to injuries and defensive inconsistency.

The New Orleans Saints, despite early-season optimism, have faltered and seen coaching changes, while the Carolina Panthers are showing signs of growth, even though they still face numerous issues.

  • Atlanta Falcons v Denver BroncosGetty Images Sport

    Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

    The Falcons have been a team finding their rhythm under head coach Raheem Morris. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, though in the latter stages of his career, has brought stability to the offense.

    However, Atlanta still struggles with one of its key defensive weaknesses: the lack of a reliable pass rush.

    If the Falcons are to break their postseason drought, they'll need to shore up their defense, but with the NFC South wide open, they could still make a deep playoff run if they can clean up their inconsistencies.

    Grade: B

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  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New York GiantsGetty Images Sport

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)

    Tampa Bay’s chances of continuing their four-year playoff streak - surprisingly and currently the longest in the NFC - are dwindling as injuries to key players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin pile up.

    Baker Mayfield has provided a steady hand at quarterback, but his recent struggles with interceptions have added to the team’s woes.

    The defense, once a strong suit, has begun to show cracks, and unless they can get healthy and find some consistency, the Buccaneers’ playoff hopes will remain in jeopardy.

    Grade: C

  • Cleveland Browns v New Orleans SaintsGetty Images Sport

    New Orleans Saints (4-7)

    After an explosive start to the season, the Saints have hit a major roadblock, leading to a coaching change and a seven-game losing streak.

    Despite their early dominance, including blowout victories over the Panthers and Cowboys, they’ve been unable to maintain their level of play.

    Their defense, which once appeared elite, has faltered, and the future of the franchise remains uncertain as they deal with ongoing instability. 

    Grade: D

  • Die Carolina Paanthers spielen heute in München gegen die New York Giants.getty

    Carolina Panthers (3-8)

    The Panthers have shown some life recently under new head coach Dave Canales, mainly due to the resurgence of quarterback Bryce Young, who has shown signs of growth after a shaky start. Young was benched for several weeks before being reinserted into the starting lineup

    While they’ve strung together a couple of wins, their defense continues to be a major issue, allowing the most points in the league.

    Despite some positive steps forward, Carolina is still far from playoff contention and will need to address their defensive woes to make meaningful progress

    Grade: C-