What the NFC South standings mean

The NFC South standings track the win-loss-tie records of the Buccaneers, Panthers, Falcons, and Saints, along with key tiebreakers like division and conference records. Fans and analysts use these standings to determine who currently leads the division and which teams are still alive in the NFC playoff race.

As of Week 15 in the 2025 NFL season, the Buccaneers and Panthers share identical 7-6 records at the top of the division, while the Falcons (4-9) and Saints (3-10) are well behind and already eliminated from postseason contention. This has turned the NFC South into a two-team battle for the division crown and a guaranteed home playoff game.

Current leaders and critical tiebreakers

Tampa Bay currently holds first place in the NFC South standings, edging out Carolina via tiebreakers despite their matching records. League playoff projections list the Buccaneers as the NFC's fourth seed, recognizing them as division leaders for now, with the Panthers sitting just behind in the wild-card chase.

A major reason Tampa Bay remains on top is the common games tiebreaker, which compares how both teams have performed against the same opponents. Division and conference records also factor into the order, and with both clubs at 2-1 in the NFC South and owning winning records against NFC foes, any slip-up against a divisional rival could immediately swing the standings.

Playoff implications for the NFC South race

For the Buccaneers, staying ahead of Carolina means securing the division title and the accompanying home playoff game, even if their overall record lags behind other NFC contenders. A loss or two down the stretch, particularly in head-to-head meetings with the Panthers, could drop them into the wild-card pool or knock them out entirely if other NFC teams continue winning.

The Panthers, meanwhile, have a clear path to the top: win their remaining matchups against Tampa Bay and maintain their strong conference record. With the Rams, Packers, and Eagles leading other NFC divisions, the South winner is likely to slot into the fourth seed, facing a dangerous wild-card opponent in the opening round. That makes each remaining NFC South game — including those involving the already-eliminated Falcons and Saints — a potential turning point in the conference playoff picture.