The fate of the NFC South will be determined by Sunday’s Falcons-Saints game.
The Atlanta Falcons have been playing good football over the last month, and while the playoffs may be off the table, their Week 18 game against the New Orleans Saints will have a major impact on the NFC South race. Since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, the division will come down to tie-breakers.
If the Falcons lose to the Saints on Sunday, the Buccaneers will secure their fifth straight NFC South title. On the flip side, Atlanta can send the Buccaneers home for the season and put the Panthers in the playoffs with a win over New Orleans.
Sunday’s season finale has suddenly become must-see TV for anyone interested in the NFC playoff race. Those around the NFL found it comical that the fate of a division now rests in the hands of the two non-playoff teams.
NFL world reacts to wild NFC South race
Panthers hopes and future now lie in the hands of Raheem Morris. Welcome to hell Carolina fans
— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) January 4, 2026
all comes down to saints falcons tomorrow. this division is hilarious 😂😂
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) January 4, 2026
the 49-year Falcons-Saints rivalry has all been leading to the moment Sunday when they decide an NFC South title that neither team can win
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) December 30, 2025
This must be the first time in NFL history that two eliminated teams in a divsion play a game which decides which of the other two teams win the division title
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) January 4, 2026
With the Buccaneers’ win against the Panthers, here are the two outcomes for the Falcons-Saints game…
If the Falcons win, it’s a three-way tie for first in the NFC South. The Panthers win the division because of the tiebreaker. The Falcons would finish third.
If the Falcons…
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) January 4, 2026
If the Falcons beat NO…
-They tie for 1st place
-CAR wins the division
-ATL gets 3rd place schedule in 2026 (likely vs KC, LAR & @ DAL)
If the Falcons lose to NO…
-They tie for 3rd place
-TB wins the division
-ATL gets last place schedule in 2026 (likely vs LV, AZ & @ NYG)
— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) January 4, 2026NFC South standings entering Sunday’s game.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)Carolina Panthers (8-9)Atlanta Falcons (7-9)New Orleans Saints (6-10)
Sunday’s game between the Falcons and Saints kicks off at 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.