The Panthers control the NFC South right now

The 8-7 Atlanta Falcons currently lead the 8-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South divisional crown thanks to their Week 5 and Week 8 sweep of the Bucs. Traditionally, they would be seen as the team in control of this division with two weeks left to play in the 2024 regular season. The 5-10 New Orleans Saints are rightfully irrelevant to the rest of this conversation. The 4-11 Carolina Panthers would be, as well, but for a fun quirk of their scheduling: they face both the Bucs and the Falcons in these final two weeks.

The Bucs have the more favorable schedule down the stretch, facing both us and the Saints. While the Falcons have to play the Washington Commanders on the road this week.…