Bucs Lose Lead on NFC South After Falcons Loss

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed a big opportunity to take the NFC South against the Atlanta Falcons.

Oct 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an early chance to jump out ahead in the NFC South when playing the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night. They couldn't make it happen.

Despite a Lavonte David interception with less than two minutes to go, the Bucs ended up losing that game in overtime 36-30 in a game where Kirk Cousins threw for over 500 yards. All hope is not lost for Tampa Bay — it's only Week 5, after all — but a loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 6 would have Tampa Bay in a bit of a hole in the NFC South while the Atlanta Falcons could advance to 3-0 in the division against the Carolina Panthers next week.

Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Stk
Atlanta Falcons	3	2	0	.600	111	115	2-2	1-0	W2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	3	2	0	.600	127	114	2-1	1-1	L1
New Orleans Saints	2	3	0	.400	140	96	1-1	1-2	L3
Carolina Panthers	1	4	0	.200	83	165	0-2	1-2	L2

The Saints, meanwhile, played the defending Super Bowl Champion-Kansas City Chiefs, and they ended up losing that game 26-13 at Arrowhead. New Orleans had a hot start to the year at 2-0 but have lost every game since then, and they'll have to contend with the Bucs in New Orleans in Week 6.

The Carolina Panthers dropped their game to the Chicago Bears in a 36-10 drubbing, so it looks like their win against the Raiders may not have been an accurate measure of how they play. They'll get the Falcons next week in Week 6, and Bucs fans will want them to win that game — however improbable.

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