NFC South Week 14 predictions: Bucs try to pull even with Falcons for first
A pair of divisional games are on the Week 14 slate. Atlanta can put distance between itself and arguably its toughest competition for the division crown when it plays Tampa Bay, while Carolina might be getting New Orleans at the perfect time.
Here are our predictions for this weekend's NFC South games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7) at Atlanta Falcons (6-6) | 1 p.m. ET
First place is on the line again in Atlanta, only this time, the Falcons are fighting to extend their one-game division lead after snatching first place by beating the Saints in Week 12. Atlanta is banged up heading into the game, with starting corner A.J. Terrell in concussion protocol. The team is also dealing with injuries to corner Jeff Okudah, tackle Kaleb McGary and defensive lineman David Onyemata.
Atlanta's depth at cornerback, should Terrell and Okudah be unable to play, could be the game's deciding factor. Baker Mayfield won't be afraid to push the ball downfield with Mike Evans, who recently became the first wide receiver in NFL history with 10 1,000-yard seasons to begin a career, and Chris Godwin. We're still not ready to trust head coach Arthur Smith and quarterback Desmond Ridder fully, so give us the two-time defending division champ to make the clutch plays to pull into a tie for first.
PREDICTION: Bucs, 24-18
Carolina Panthers (1-11) at New Orleans Saints (5-7) | 1 p.m. ET
Over the last month, the Saints went from being led by their defense to being hampered by it. Defensive-minded head coach Dennis Allen has overseen the decline of the unit, which has allowed an average of 163 rush yards and 25.6 points per game over its last five games (2-3), including its current three-game losing streak.
Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is coming off one of his best games as a pro against the Bucs when he had 25 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns, good enough to be a nominee for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
We like his matchup, as well as the one for the Panthers' defensive front seven.
Brian Burns and Derrick Brown should have big days against a New Orleans offensive line that is 30th in ESPN's pass-block win rate rankings. Saints quarterback Derek Carr's status is worth monitoring. However, the decision seems obvious that New Orleans shouldn't start him after he suffered his second concussion of the season in Week 13 against the Lions and is also dealing with a rib injury.
"If Derek's not able to go, the plan would be Jameis [Winston] will be in there. And we'll put a plan together that gives him an opportunity to have success," Allen said.
Forgive us for not believing him. Over the past two seasons, Allen and the Saints coaching staff have proven unable to set the team up to succeed. A loss to the terrible Panthers will be the low point of the disastrous Allen era.
PREDICTION: Panthers, 20-13
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