NFC South Week 18 predictions: Bucs get past Panthers to clinch division

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) are the third-biggest favorite in the league this weekend, only needing a win against the lowly Carolina Panthers to clinch its third consecutive division crown. 

A loss would open the door for the winner of Falcons-Saints to take the division – this is Atlanta's only path to the postseason. New Orleans can still clinch a wild-card berth with a Bucs win if it receives help from the Chicago Bears (against the Green Bay Packers) and Arizona Cardinals (against the Seattle Seahawks).

Here are our NFC South predictions for the final week of the regular season. 

Atlanta Falcons (7-9) at New Orleans Saints (8-8) | 1 p.m. ET

The Saints lost the first meeting between the fierce rivals, 25-17, allowing a season-high 228 rushing yards. New Orleans would have likely won that game without two red-zone turnovers – a pick-sick thrown by Derek Carr and a Taysom Hill fumble. Based on their fantastic performance in Tampa in Week 17, the Saints are taking their slim playoff hopes seriously and won't be undone by similar miscues at home.

Atlanta is 2-3 since its Week 12 win over New Orleans put it in a tie for first and head coach Arthur Smith has no answer for the team's quarterback woes. Taylor Heinicke (ankle), Desmond Ridder (benched twice), it doesn't matter who starts. Neither should be trusted on the road against a challenging Saints secondary. Heinicke and Ridder have combined to throw as many touchdowns as interceptions (15) and New Orleans' defense has the fifth-most picks (16) in the NFL this season.

PREDICTION: Saints, 27-17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) at Carolina Panthers (2-14) | 1 p.m. ET

As surprising as it is for a team with two separate six-game losing streaks, the Panthers waited until Week 17 to reach their nadir in an ugly 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, which marked the first time Carolina had been shut out since 2002. Its dreadful season mercifully ends on Sunday with what will likely be a 15th loss, the franchise's most since 2001. Fans, pack a poncho.

The Bucs won't drop consecutive opportunities to clinch the division, even with quarterback Baker Mayfield (ribs) less than 100%. Carolina has only given up 11 receiving touchdowns to wideouts this year. Still, one of those was to Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans, who scored a 75-yard touchdown and finished with seven receptions for 162 yards in the teams' first meeting, a 21-18 Tampa win. It's also a favorable matchup for Bucs running back Rachaad White. He had 20 carries for 84 yards in Week 13. Carolina struggles to contain opposing backs, ranking 29th in rushing yards (1,751) and last in touchdowns allowed (25). (h/t RotoWire)

PREDICTION: Buccaneers, 28-10