NFC South Shootout
(November 25, 2008)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have surprised some by posting an 8-3 record, however, every team in the NFC South has a winning record. The Bucs’ fortunes will hinge on the next three weeks, when they face each division opponent with two games on the road. As it stands right now, the Bucs and Carolina each have 8-3 records though the Bucs hold the tiebreaker due a 27-3 victory over the Panthers in October. Atlanta is 7-4 while New Orleans is 6-5.

The Buccaneers only division loss came opening day at New Orleans. Jeff Garcia looked shaky and Jon Gruden started Brian Griese in week two. A month later, Griese got hurt and Garcia regained the starters role. As is typical with Tampa Bay football, the games have been close and the team’s three losses have been by a total of ten points. The Bucs have New Orleans at home, a Monday night game at Carolina, a game at Atlanta, before closing out the season with home games with San Diego and Oakland.

As expected, Carolina is a much tougher team with a healthy Jake Delhomme. The Panthers play at Green Bay, host the Bucs and Denver, before finishing at the New York Giants and New Orleans.

Atlanta is the surprise team. Rookie QB Matt Ryan has learned quickly and Michael Turner has been carrying the load at running back. The Falcons have games at San Diego and New Orleans, then host Tampa Bay, then go to Minnesota before closing out the season at home against St. Louis.

The Saints lead NFL in total yards per game and Drew Brees leads the league in passing yards. The Saints play at Tampa Bay, host Atlanta, travel to Chicago and Detroit, then close out the season with Carolina at home.

If the season ended today the Bucs would be the NFC South’s first repeat champion and have a first round playoff bye. However, there is much football to be played. There is also that thing about every year the last place team in the division finishes first the nest year., and who would have thought that Atlanta would have a shot at continuing that streak.

The Bucs have won five out of the last six and continuing their three game winning streak would put them in excellent position. Remember, and yes we’re getting way ahead of ourselves here, the Super Bowl is played in Tampa this season.

NFC South Division Standings (Thru Week 12)

Team	Won	Lost	Tied	Pct	Division
Tampa Bay	8	3	0	.727	2-1
Carolina	8	3	0	.727	2-2
Atlanta	7	4	0	.636	2-2
New Orleans	6	5	0	.545	1-2