Falcons’ improbable win over Buccaneers emblematic of state of unsightly NFC South

“We’ve been facing this challenge for a few weeks now,” commented Tristan Wirfs, the left tackle for the Bucs. “Our focus needs to be on scoring in the red zone.”

Wirfs added, “We’ve asserted that the NFC South runs through us. Despite the current circumstances, this statement could still hold true.”

Frustration over penalties and turnovers has led Wirfs to reject the notion that the inability to run the ball is solely responsible for the team’s struggles. He pointed out that in the past, the Bucs used to rely on throwing the ball 50 or 60 times per game and still come out victorious. It’s evident that with Brady, the Bucs were able to claim their dominance in the division.

The reality now is that the NFC South doesn’t seem to have a clear path, no matter who emerges as the winner. The Carolina Panthers are yet to secure a win this season. The New Orleans Saints, currently with a 3-4 record and two consecutive losses, are struggling to find cohesion on offense. As for the Bucs, they have not won a game since their bye week, have yet to defeat a team with a winning record, and have only scored one touchdown in their last two games. Their upcoming match against the Bills on Thursday night will be followed by four out of five games on the road. Although the Falcons’ quarterback has had issues with turnovers in recent games, they still managed to secure a win on Sunday, gaining the unequivocal support of coach Smith.

Smith vowed to find a solution, stating, “We will find a way to fix it, I promise you. He’s only started 11 games and just got a great win. Let’s give credit to the team. We found a way to win. He’s resilient. He’s a victor.”

Ridder, reflecting on his fumbles, acknowledged that he should have switched the ball to his left hand while running. He admitted to being too eager when fumbling at the goal line.

“Ultimately, there’s no magic solution to fix fumbles,” he said. “It’s about staying focused and understanding the importance of protecting the football. The ball is the key. The ball is the problem.”

The issue of fumbles is just one facet of the challenges faced by teams in this division.

Despite the messy nature of the game and the overall underwhelming performance of the entire division, it’s evident that the competition will likely remain intense until the end of the season.

Perhaps by then, Carr won’t need to yell at his receivers, Ridder will have resolved his turnover issues, and the Bucs will regain their ability to score. Until then, the only division without a team with five wins will continue to offer more desperation than celebration. This sentiment is already felt in Tampa, where the game began with empty seats and a fan pleading from the stands for Mayfield to show his desire for another contract.

“We need to step up – there are games where they thrive and we don’t,” expressed Bucs safety Ryan Neal regarding the team’s offense. “We need to contribute more on our end.”