Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

NFC South is up for grabs among Falcons recent skid

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 12:10 PM ET

Just one short month ago, the Atlanta Falcons had a comfortable three game lead in the NFC South.

That lead has quickly vanished, and Atlanta now finds itself tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers atop the division.

The last several weeks could not have gone much worse for the Falcons, as they are in the midst of a three-game losing streak and an offense that once looked promising, has begun to fall off.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is going through one of the worst three-game stretches of his career. Cousins has six interceptions and no touchdowns during Atlanta's three-game skid.

Kirk Cousins throws his fourth interception of the day, this one to Derwin James. The Falcons are going to lose at home and fall to .500.pic.twitter.com/tTz1eH8gOk https://t.co/BSUKSjmrT5
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 1, 2024

On the other side, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn't been much better. Mayfield has just two touchdowns and two interceptions over Tampa Bay's last three games.

Mayfield did lead Tampa Bay down the field and into field goal range last week, where Chase McLaughlin hit a game-tying 51-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.

IT. IS. GOOD.

: #TBvsCAR on FOX pic.twitter.com/4qoELSQqOq
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 2, 2024

The Buccaneers eventual win in OT put them at 6-6 and back at .500 on the season, tied for first place with Atlanta. Atlanta holds the tiebreaker over Tampa Bay, as it defeated the Bucs in both matchups this season between the two teams.

After a wild Sunday, #Bucs are tied with the Falcons at 6-6 with Atlanta owning the tie-breaker by virtue of the series sweep of Tampa Bay. Bucs host the Raiders while the Falcons travel to Minnesota.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) December 2, 2024

With Atlanta's recent collapse, the door has been left wide open for any team to win the division. Even the Panthers, who sit at 3-9, still have a mathematical chance at the division crown.

Atlanta controls its own destiny, and it will need improved play from Cousins to secure its first playoff appearance since 2017.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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