The NFL season is nearing the finish line, and the NFC South has a two-horse race for the division title. The 6-6 Panthers have yet to catch the 6-5 Buccaneers, as both teams lost in Week 12. However, anything is possible with just over a month left in the regular season. Here are two bold predictions for each NFC South team in Week 13.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Baker Mayfield
Oct 20, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) drops back to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Losing Streak Ends With Blowout Win
Advertisement
The Buccaneers have lost three straight games following their bye week, albeit to three elite teams. There’s no shame in losing to the 10-2 Patriots, 7-4 Bills, and 9-2 Rams: the problem is that the Bucs lost serious momentum in doing so. However, the Buccaneers face a mediocre Cardinals team at home in Week 12. If quarterback Baker Mayfield can play through a minor shoulder injury, Tampa should roll to an easy win.
Defense Records Five Sacks
This defense needs a pick-me-up following an awful performance against the Rams last week, and they’ve got it against the Cardinals. With QB Kyler Murray and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. potentially both out of the lineup, the Bucs should have no problem exposing the Arizona offense. Backup Jacoby Brissett is operating behind a below-average Cardinals offensive line, which should lead to plenty of sacks.
Advertisement
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
Blowout Loss At Home
The Panthers are one of the NFL’s most inconsistent teams this season, but if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that they struggle against elite teams. Carolina has suffered double-digit losses against the 7-4 Jaguars, 10-2 Patriots, 7-4 Bills, and 8-4 49ers. Now, facing off against the elite Los Angeles Rams at home, another big loss might be coming.
Advertisement
Defense Surrenders 20 First-Half Points
The Panthers’ defense benefited from some uncharacteristic 49ers turnovers last week, one of which was a superhuman play by star corner Jaycee Horn. However, I don’t think this is replicable against the Rams’ offense, which is arguably the league’s best unit. LA decimated the Buccaneers last week, who are probably a step above the Panthers on defense, so Carolina could be in big trouble this week.
Atlanta Falcons:
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) carries the ball New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Bijan Robinson Gains 150 Total Yards
With Michael Penix Jr. out for the season, the Falcons should do everything they can to get star running back Bijan Robinson the football. While he totaled 106 yards last week on just 16 touches, he should be in for an even bigger performance in Week 13 against the awful Jets defense. Expect Robinson to rush for around 100 yards and have a big receiving day as well.
Darnell Mooney Scores Two TDs
The Falcons’ top receiver, Drake London, is expected to miss his second straight game with a knee injury, and someone has to fill the void. And that someone may be veteran Darnell Mooney. While he caught just three passes last week, he racked up a team-high 74 yards and found the end zone on a 49-yard strike. Expect him to get involved – and hit pay dirt – again this week.
New Orleans Saints:
Nov 23, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (24) jumps over Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) as he carries the ball during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Neal Impresses In First Career Start
The Saints top running back, Alvin Kamara, suffered a knee injury in Week 12 and could miss this week’s game against Miami. In his place in the starting lineup, rookie Devin Neal is a different type of runner who could trouble the Dolphins’ struggling defense. With Kamara aging and declining, Neal could prove himself to be a valuable back for the Saints in the future.
Saints D Forces Two Turnovers
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has been a shell of his former self this season, throwing 13 interceptions against 17 touchdowns. And while the Saints’ defense is not an elite unit, it is still good enough to trouble the incompetent quarterback. Expect New Orleans to force a fumble and pick off a Tagovailoa pass on Sunday.
Check out all of our NFL articles:https://www.thebiglead.com/category/nfl/