The NFC South title race remains open going into the final weekend of the NFL regular season. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their game against the Carolina Panthers, they will secure the division title and clinch a playoff spot. However, should the Buccaneers fail to win, the victor of the New Orleans Saints versus Atlanta Falcons matchup will claim the NFC South crown and the conference's No. 4 seed. The Falcons, despite a loss to the Chicago Bears with a score of 37-17, are still in contention for the title due to the Buccaneers' loss. The Buccaneers currently lead the Panthers 6-0 at halftime, with their points coming from two field goals, including a 57-yarder. In a notable play, Carolina's DJ Chark fumbled the ball on what appeared to be a touchdown pass from Bryce Young, and the Buccaneers recovered, preventing the Panthers from scoring. The score was 3-0 in favor of the Buccaneers with 4:13 left in the second quarter before they extended their lead to 6-0 at halftime. Concurrently, the Falcons and Saints are tied at 17-17 at halftime.
Boom. Exactly https://t.co/gVWWp4lvB9
NFC South score update at halftime: Falcons 17, Saints 17 Buccaneers 6, Panthers 0 Tampa needs to win and they’re in the #NFLPlayoffs. If Tampa loses, winner of #ATLvsNO wins the NFC South, securing a playoff spot. https://t.co/CPr50PR4zY
Tampa Bay is up 6-0 at halftime.
Buccaneers lead Panthers 6-0 at halftime. https://t.co/IIacN0heoA
Bucs hit a 57-yard field goal (with the wind) to end the first half. Tampa Bay 6-0. Bucs have outgained the Panthers 131-106. It's a real rock fight here, gang.
#Bucs 3, #Panthers 0 with 3:18 left in the second quarter.
D.J. Chark was +1500 to score the first touchdown of Bucs vs. Panthers. He fumbled before crossing into the end zone 🫠 https://t.co/bRVRlr7MN8
#Bucs get on the scoreboard with a 36 yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin. Good drive was halted on a good open field tackle by Jaycee Horn on Chris Godwin. Bucs 3, Carolina 0 with 4:13 remaining in first half
Bucs take a 3-0 lead in Carolina.
Bucs get a field goal with 4:13 left in the second quarter, take a 3-0 lead in a defensive struggle.
Carolina's DJ Chark scored an apparent TD on a 43-yard pass from Bryce Young, but the play was reviewed and reversed by officials as a fumble and recovery by the Bucs. No score still in TB-CAR.
Bryce Young almost made an incredible play for a touchdown to DJ Chark, but the wideout fumbled to going into pay dirt and the Bucs recovered. #Panthers
DIVISIONS ARE ON THE LINE IN THE EARLY SLATE: ◾️ Bucs clinch NFC South with win vs. Panthers ◾️ Saints clinch NFC South with win vs. Falcons and Bucs loss ◾️ Falcons clinch NFC South with win vs. Saints and Bucs loss ◾️ Jaguars clinch AFC South with win vs. Titans https://t.co/2BsvDGWRtX
Who ends up as NFC South champs? 🤔 https://t.co/qAPGYoUujF
Who will win the AFC South crown? 🏆 https://t.co/MIKDeiNWq7
Chicago 37, Atlanta 17. The Falcons (7-9) remain in the NFC South race despite themselves thanks to Tampa Bay's loss. If the Bucs lose the Panthers and Atlanta beats the Saints next week, the Falcons would win the NFC South and be the conference's No. 4 seed.
Just to say it again, if the current scores hold up, the Bucs, Saints and Falcons will all be alive to win the NFC South next weekend. Bucs win at Carolina, they clinch. If they don't win, the Saints-Falcons winner takes the division title.