The NFC South’s top team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, did not play this week, and the other three teams in the division had very different results. Carolina earned a shocking upset victory over Green Bay, Atlanta dropped a road game to New England by just a single point, and New Orleans was blown out on the road by the LA Rams. Here are my report card grades for each team in the division this week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes the field for warm up at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. Credit: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Overall Grade: A
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Tampa’s bye week came at just the right time, with the offense regressing due to inconsistencies and injuries. The absences of Mike Evans and Bucky Irving significantly impacted the flow of the Tampa Bay offense, which will need to improve for the Bucs to make a successful playoff run.
Offense Grade: A
Crucially, right tackle Luke Goedeke is back at practice this week. Goedeke is one of the league’s best pass-blocking tackles, and the Bucs’ offensive line has struggled without him. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been playing at less than 100% and hopefully was also able to heal up during the bye week.
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Defense Grade: A
The Tampa Bay defense has been strong and mostly injury-free this season, but not entirely. Bucs pass rusher Hasson Reddick is currently dealing with an ankle sprain, and Tampa will try to get him ready for Week 10 if possible. Outside of him, the defense’s starting 11 have been both healthy and productive for the majority of 2025.
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Carolina Panthers
Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws the ball in the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Overall Grade: A+
Call me crazy, but I had a strange feeling that Carolina would have a chance at Lambeau Field on Sunday. And they stole a victory with tough, gritty, smash-mouth football. The offense pounded the rock behind surprisingly productive workhorse Rico Dowdle, the defense limited Green Bay to just 13 points, and rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald sealed the deal with a game-winning field goal on the game’s final play.
Offense Grade: A
Bryce Young wasn’t quite himself in his first game back, but he didn’t have to be. Rico Dowdle carried the load with 25 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns. And when Young was tasked with leading a game-winning drive for Carolina, he did just that. While Young needs to do better at avoiding early interceptions, he continues to keep the Panthers in games with strong second-half performances.
Defense Grade: A+
The Panthers must have taken that blowout loss to the Bills last week pretty seriously. Because they played like men possessed against Green Bay on Sunday, allowing just 13 points and forcing two turnovers. The Panthers’ toughness on defense has been inconsistent this season, but this performance could be one to build upon for the rest of the season.
Atlanta Falcons
Oct 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) reacts after a pass interference call during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Overall Grade: C
The Falcons got healthier in Week 9, but were still unable to parlay that into a victory. The returns of Michael Penix Jr. and Drake London to the lineup made the offense significantly better, but the defense struggled against a powerful Patriots offense, and a missed extra point cost them the game.
Offense Grade: B
QB Michael Penix Jr. was solid in his return to action, but WR Drake London was the star of the show. He racked up nine catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns, showing off elite body control and strong hands. However, RB Bijan Robinson’s run of poor form continued – he failed to reach 50 rushing yards for the third straight game.
Defense Grade: D
Drake Maye is a great quarterback, which he’s proved time and time again this season. However, the Falcons’ defense still should have performed better against a team lacking any elite talent at the skill positions. They struggled to defend RB TreVeyon Henderson (87 total yards) and WR Demario Douglas (four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown).
New Orleans Saints
Nov 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Overall Grade: D
For the second straight week, the Saints lost in a blowout to a likely playoff team. Although the team struggled mightily in the loss, scoring just 10 points while allowing 34, there are some silver linings. Rookie QB Tyler Shough was serviceable against a fierce defense in his first start, and the defense sacked Rams QB Matthew Stafford twice.
Offense Grade: D+
The Saints’ offense has struggled with turnovers and penalties for most of this season, and against the Rams, it was more of the same. The Saints committed five penalties and turned the ball over twice. Alvin Kamara’s struggles continued in the game, as he lost a fumble and gained just 14 rushing yards on six carries.
Defense Grade: D-
The Saints’ defense was predictably carved apart by Matthew Stafford and company. They allowed the veteran passer to throw for 281 yards and four touchdowns, two of which went to receiver Davante Adams. New Orleans’ defense has some talent, but not enough to contain elite players like Stafford, Adams, and Puka Nacua.
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