The NFC South title is on the road, and the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preventing for that honor going into the 18th and ultimate week of the NFL common season.
The Falcons, who had been picked by many to win the division when the season began, not solely must defeat the Carolina Panthers, which appears seemingly, however they are going to want Tampa Bay to lose to the New Orleans Saints, which doesn’t appear too seemingly, to complete first.
Complicating issues for Atlanta is their harm scenario — Drake London and Darnell Mooney, their prime vast receiver threats, had been restricted individuals in Thursday’s follow on account of knee and shoulder illnesses, respectively, per Marc Raimondi.
WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney, amongst others, confirmed up on the #Falcons harm report Thursday pic.twitter.com/896Rrbkzim
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) January 2, 2025
London, the No. 8 decide within the 2022 draft, has made strides in his third season by crossing the 1,000-yard mark, whereas Mooney has proven main enhancements in his first season with the Falcons.
Mooney has caught 64 passes for 992 yards and 5 touchdowns this season after he had a really modest 31 catches, 414 yards and one landing in 2023.
When Atlanta landed cross rusher Matthew Judon and security Justin Simmons previous to the beginning of this season, many felt they had been robust favorites to win the NFC South.
However they haven’t been too wonderful on both facet of the soccer, though they’ve an honest quantity of expertise.
One motive for that has been the disappointing play of quarterback Kirk Cousins, whom they signed to a four-year, $180 million contract throughout the offseason.
Cousins was benched a few weeks in the past in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., who hasn’t performed a lot better than Cousins in two begins.
Penix will begin as soon as once more this Sunday as Atlanta hopes they’re fortunate and adequate to make the playoffs for the primary time in seven years.
NEXT: Paul Pierce Makes A Daring Declare About Michael Penix Jr.