NFC South
Vegas gives the Panthers the highest expected score in the NFC South this week at about 24 points as 3.5-point favorites; the Buccaneers are lowest at about 20.5. By EPA per play, the Panthers have the group's best offense (#8 in the NFL) and the Buccaneers the best defense (#4).
NFC South standings
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | 3-2 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2-4 |
| New Orleans Saints | 2-4 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-5 |
Week 7 matchups
| Team | Opponent | Kickoff | Spread | Total | Team expected pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | vs 49ers | Sun, Oct 25, 1:00 PM ET | +3 | 50.5 | 23.8 |
| Panthers | vs Buccaneers | Sun, Oct 25, 1:00 PM ET | -3.5 | 44.5 | 24 |
| Saints | vs Steelers | Sun, Oct 25, 9:30 AM ET | +3.5 | 44.5 | 20.5 |
| Buccaneers | @ Panthers | Sun, Oct 25, 1:00 PM ET | +3.5 | 44.5 | 20.5 |
Spread is from that team's side (minus = favored). Expected points come from the Vegas total and spread. Lines: nflverse schedule data.
Top projected players this week
From BFN Hot Picks (PPR scoring), our own projection built from workload, Vegas totals, matchups and injury reports.
- Falcons: Bijan Robinson (RB, 21.4 pts, range 10.3-32.9); Michael Penix (QB, 18.4 pts, range 9.6-24.7); Drake London (WR, 16 pts, range 5.9-23.4)
- Panthers: Bryce Young (QB, 25.3 pts, range 13.2-33.9); Tetairoa McMillan (WR, 17.5 pts, range 6.5-25.6); Chuba Hubbard (RB, 17.4 pts, range 8.3-26.7)
- Saints: Tyler Shough (QB, 19.6 pts, range 10.2-26.2); Chris Olave (WR, 17.1 pts, range 6.3-25); Juwan Johnson (TE, 9.9 pts, range 4.1-16.9)
- Buccaneers: Bucky Irving (RB, 15.2 pts, range 7.3-23.4)
Advanced stats: EPA ranks through week 6
| Team | Offense EPA/play | Offense success rate | Defense EPA allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | +0.09 (#8) | 44% (#17) | -0.01 (#19) |
| Saints | -0.04 (#20) | 42% (#21) | +0.07 (#27) |
| Falcons | -0.05 (#23) | 44% (#13) | -0.03 (#11) |
| Buccaneers | -0.13 (#30) | 39% (#27) | -0.08 (#4) |
EPA = expected points added per play (# = NFL rank; for defense, less allowed ranks higher). Computed by Breaking Fantasy News from nflverse play-by-play.
Latest NFC South news
- Source: Giants releasing Harris amid ongoing RB woes ESPN NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Opportunity opens for the next player up.
- Saints arrive in Paris for Sunday's game against Steelers Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- Falcons to sign LB Charles Snowden ProFootballTalk · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Adds competition; watch the first depth chart after this move.
- Four Takeaways from Falcons Field-Level Experience Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- Najee Harris Released After Criticizing the Giants’ RB Rotation Draft Sharks Shark Bites · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Opportunity opens for the next player up.
- Week 7 odds: Steelers open as slight favorites vs. Saints Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- Week 7 NFL Power Rankings 2026: Patriots, Panthers, Browns Among Biggest Risers After Wins Pro Football Network · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- Martin Emerson Jr. put together statement performance for Saints Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- John Harbaugh on RB timeshare: Someone has to "do something" to earn job Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- Panthers vs Eagles game review: Milestones Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- 3 Reasons Why the Chicago Bears Won vs. the Falcons Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers news: Bucs show progress in loss vs. Steelers Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- Eagles snap counts: Our 1st look at linebacker rotation Yahoo Sports NFL · October 20, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- How former Arizona Wildcats fared in Week 6 of NFL season Yahoo Sports NFL · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- ‘It Is Ugly Over There’ — Former NFL MVP Criticizes League’s Steelers-Saints Game Plans Amid ‘Uncontrolled’ Riots in Paris Pro Football Network · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- ‘I Ain’t Respect It,’ ‘It Might Be His Last Year’ — Buccaneers’ Super Bowl Champion Gets Brutally Honest on Todd Bowles’ Future After 1-5 Start Pro Football Network · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- Game Recap: Saints visit Giants in Week 6 Clash Yahoo Sports NFL · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- Bears vs. Falcons Game Balls: Two Massive Returns Yahoo Sports NFL · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- The questions and stats looming over Giants’ Jameis Winston-J.J. McCarthy decision Yahoo Sports NFL · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
- Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey reach personal milestones in Steelers win over Buccaneers Yahoo Sports NFL · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- Is Kyler Gordon the Chicago Bears’ Most Important Defender? Yahoo Sports NFL · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: Results story; limited roster impact.
- Eagles-Panthers snap counts Yahoo Sports NFL · October 19, 2026Fantasy impact: No direct fantasy action needed.
Headlines link to the original publisher. Fantasy impact notes are written by Breaking Fantasy News.