The NFC South is still up for grabs entering the final quarter of the NFL season, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a dogfight.
Combined with Tampa Bay's poor form — losing four out of five games heading into "Thursday Night Football" against the Falcons — and the Carolina Panthers' resurgence, both teams sit at 7-6 heading into Week 15.
With a win on Thursday, the Buccaneers would stay atop the division ahead of two matchups with the Panthers before the regular season's end. The bottom line is that everything is up for grabs in the division.
As for the Falcons, without Michael Penix Jr., Raheem Morris' squad is looking to end the season on a strong note.
Here's where the two teams lie in the division as primetime football approaches.
POWER RANKINGS: Where all teams stack heading into Week 15
NFC South standings
Heading into Week 15, there is a tie on top of the NFC South between two teams going in different directions since October.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Buccaneers | 7-6 |
| 2 | Panthers | 7-6 |
| 3 | Falcons | 4-9 |
| 4 | Saints | 3-10 |
After starting the season 5-1, Tampa Bay has spiraled, winning only two of its last seven games. The Buccaneers have won the NFC South for four straight seasons, two with Tom Brady at the helm and twice with Baker Mayfield.
Carolina, on the other hand, has won six of nine after starting 1-3 and is coming off a huge win against the Super Bowl contender Los Angeles Rams. The Panthers are looking to snap the second-longest playoff drought in the NFL, only behind the New York Jets.
The Falcons, who enter Thursday night at 4-9, have a one-game lead on New Orleans for the NFC South basement. The teams play again in the season finale.
MORE WEEK 15 NFL:
NFC playoff picture
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Rams* | 10-3 |
| 2 | Packers* | 9-3-1 |
| 3 | Eagles* | 8-5 |
| 4 | Buccaneers* | 7-6 |
| 5 | Seahawks | 10-3 |
| 6 | 49ers | 9-4 |
| 7 | Bears | 9-4 |
| 8 | Lions | 8-5 |
| 9 | Panthers | 7-6 |
| 10 | Cowboys | 6-6-1 |
| 11 | Vikings | 5-8 |
| 12 | Falcons | 4-9 (Eliminated) |
| 13 | Cardinals | 3-10 (Eliminated) |
| 14 | Saints | 3-10 (Eliminated) |
| 15 | Commanders | 3-10 (Eliminated) |
| 16 | Giants | 2-11 (Eliminated) |
*Division leaders
Whichever team does not win the NFC South faces an uphill battle for a wild card spot. With teams including the Seahawks, 49ers, Bears and Lions ahead, the chances two NFC South teams make the postseason are slim.
The easiest avenue for both the Buccaneers and Panthers heading into the final stretch of the season is by winning the division. The teams play twice, first in Carolina on Dec. 21 followed up on Jan. 4 in Tampa Bay for the season finale.
If the teams split, it comes down to division record, where they are identical (2-1) at the moment. After that, it's record against common opponents.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture heading into Week 15
Falcons remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 15 | 12/11 | @ Buccaneers |
| 16 | 12/21 | @ Cardinals |
| 17 | 12/29 | vs. Rams |
| 18 | 1/4/26 | vs. Saints |
MORE: NFL picks against the spread
Buccaneers remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 15 | 12/11 | vs. Falcons |
| 16 | 12/21 | @ Panthers |
| 17 | 12/28 | @ Dolphins |
| 18 | 1/4/26 | vs. Panthers |
MORE: Will Mike Evans return in Week 15?