With losses by previously unbeaten Atlanta and New Orleans on Sunday, an upset win by 2-0 Tampa Bay over the 2-0 Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football would have the Bucs alone atop the NFC South division. Tampa Bay won back-to-back division titles in 2021 and 2022 and are looking for a three-peat in 2023.

The 2-1 Falcons lost at Detroit against the 2-1 Lions, 20-6. The Lions held the Falcons out of the end zone and sacked second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder seven times on Sunday.

Running back Bijan Robinson, Atlanta’s first-round pick, was held to just 33 yards on 10 carries, and the Lions shut down the Falcons’ rushing attack, which gained 44 yards on 20 carries. Detroit out-gained Atlanta in total yards, 358-183.

The 2-1 Saints also suffered a road defeat on Sunday, losing 18-17 in Green Bay. New Orleans opened up a 17-0 lead, only to squander it as the Packers rallied with 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Not only did the Saints lose for the first time this year, but they also lost quarterback Derek Carr for part of the second half. Carr was sacked hard by edge rusher Rashaan Gary and suffered a sprain of his AC joint in his right (throwing) shoulder, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. It is unlikely he’ll play in this Sunday’s home game against Tampa Bay.

The 0-3 Panthers remain winless, losing at Seattle, 37-27. Quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall first pick in this year’s draft, missed the game due to a concussion. Andy Dalton started for Carolina.

Bucs Could Face Jameis Winston In New Orleans On Sunday

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and Saints QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: USA Today

After Derek Carr started the Packers game 13-of-18 passing for 103 yards and a touchdown, Jameis Winston came in and completed 10-of-16 passes for 101 yards and was sacked once. The Saints offensive line surrendered four sacks to the Packers, including three to Rashaan Gary, who tormented right tackle Ryan Ramcyzk for three of them, including the play where Carr got injured.

With Carr likely out for this week’s game against the Bucs, Winston, a former Tampa Bay quarterback, should get the start against his old team. Winston, who was drafted by the Bucs with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, spent five seasons in Tampa Bay, but was not re-signed after his fifth-year option year.

Instead, the Bucs signed Tom Brady in free agency, and wound up finishing 11-5 and winning Super Bowl LV in 2020.

Winston, who is still Tampa Bay’s all-time passing yardage leader, has been the backup quarterback for most of his three years in New Orleans. He is 6-4 as a starter in New Orleans.

Bucs OLB Shaquil Barrett and ILB Lavonte David and Saints QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Winston helped lead the Saints to a 36-27 win over the Bucs in 2021. But he didn’t finish the game, as he suffered a torn ACL injury after completing 6-of-10 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Tampa Bay returned the favor the next year, beating the Saints in New Orleans, 20-10. Winston was 25-of-40 passing for 236 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, including a fourth-quarter pick-six. He was also sacked six times.

In three regular season appearances against the Bucs, Winston is 32-of-51 passing for 304 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also been sacked those six times.

To beat the Eagles, who are favored by five points on Monday night, the Bucs might have to keep playing turnover-free football. Tampa Bay is the only team left that has yet to turn the ball over this season.