Week 12 arrives with the NFC South still wide open, even as the standings begin to take shape. Tampa Bay leads the division at 6–4, holding a narrow edge thanks to a strong conference record and the only positive point differential in the group. Carolina remains close behind at 6–5 with steady improvement over the past month, while Atlanta and New Orleans continue to slip with a combined 5–15 mark and mounting struggles on both sides of the ball and injuries. With each team facing a pivotal three-game stretch, the Week 12 outlook offers a crucial snapshot of where the division truly stands and how the playoff race may unfold.

NFC South Standings – Week 12

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6–4)

The Buccaneers remain your number one team entering Week 12 despite dropping two straight games. Tampa Bay still owns the division’s best record and is the only NFC South team with a positive point differential. They continue to control their own postseason path with a 2–0 division mark and a strong conference record. While their recent skid of games is concerning, their offensive consistency and defensive playmaking keep them atop the standings. If the Bucs want to stay atop the South, their pass rushing and defense’s inability to keep the lid on an offense needs to change.

Next Three Games:

WK12 at Los Angeles RamsWK13 vs. Arizona CardinalsWK14 vs. New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay’s upcoming schedule presents a real chance to reset. The game this week against the Rams will be another test for Tampa Bay, but clear skies may be ahead. The Cardinals and Saints give the Bucs two opportunities against two of the worst teams in the NFL.

2. Carolina Panthers (6–5)

Carolina jumps into your second spot this week and sits just behind Tampa in the standings, though they share the same number of wins. Carolina remains a difficult team to project because their wins and losses come in streaks, but they enters Week 12 with momentum after winning five of its last seven. Their 4–2 conference record has kept them in the NFC playoff picture, although their point differential shows the inconsistency still lurking under the surface.

Next Three Games:

WK12 at San Francisco 49ersWK13 vs Los Angeles RamsWK14 BYE WEEK

While this could be a defining stretch for the Panthers if they come away with a 1-1 record in their next two games versus San Francisco and then the Rams, going into the bye week, they should be feeling pretty good about themselves. Bryce Young is coming off his best statistical performance of his career, and a little hope can go a long way. Even still, their next two opponents are no easy feat; one is battling for an NFC Wild Card spot alongside Carolina, while the other team from the West is arguably the most Super Bowl-ready team in football.

3. Atlanta Falcons (3–7)

Atlanta continues to tumble and enters Week 12 on a five-game losing streak. Their offense has lacked identity at times this season, and their defense, once a strength, has worn down under constant pressure. Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. could be out for the duration of the season with a knee injury, while starting wideout Drake London has been listed as “week to week” as he is dealing with a PCL injury. A Kirk Cousins-led Falcons didn’t look so great a few weeks back, so im not holding my breath on Atlanta saving their season and competing for the NFC South title. The Falcons are winless in the division and have dropped all five of their last contests, making this season feel like it is slipping into full evaluation mode.

Next Three Games:

WK12 @ New Orleans SaintsWK13 @ New York JetsWK14 vs Seattle Seahawks

This is a last call for Atlanta. If they cannot beat both the Saints and then the Jets, who are arguably the worst team in football, there’s zero hope at saving their season. The Falcons need a cleaner offensive performance while missing two key offensive players to stop the bleeding and avoid drifting into the basement of the NFC South.

4. New Orleans Saints (2–8)

New Orleans remains in fourth place in the NFC South standings after 11 weeks. They did pick up a win last week, but their overall body of work still places them firmly at the bottom of the division. The Saints have struggled to score all season, have the worst point differential in the division, and have not found consistency in any phase of the game while switching quarterbacks mid-season. Their lone path forward is evaluating the roster for next season while trying to play spoiler.

Next Three Games:

WK12 vs Atlanta FalconsWK13 @ Miami DolphinsWK14 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

New Orleans has a tough road ahead. It’s not their schedule that poses the challenge; the team needs to come together and build on the win they got before their bye week.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFC South race tightens with the Bucs at the top in Week 12 preview