NFC South standings: Falcons take division lead with chaotic OT win over Panthers

It was only fitting that the NFC South’s new leader was determined by one of the wildest games of the 2022 season.

A division that has devolved into pure chaos amid the Buccaneers’ losing streak is now led by the Falcons, who barely survived a series of mistakes in the fourth quarter and overtime to become the only team in the division with a .500 record. 

MORE: How Moore penalty, Pineiro misses doomed Panthers

A Panthers win Sunday would have made every team in the NFC South 3-5 entering Week 9. In that scenario, Carolina would have led thanks to a tiebreaker advantage over each of the other three teams.

That appeared to be the likely scenario after P.J. Walker found D.J. Moore for a miraculous 62-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but a costly penalty by Moore for unsportsmanlike conduct forced Eddy Pineiro to attempt a 48-yard extra-point kick, which was a test of his range.

PJ WALKER TO DJ MOORE HAIL MARY. PANTHERS TIE IT UP 😱😱😱😱

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/on7Li6kOK1

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 30, 2022

As it turns out, Pineiro’s range wasn’t the only issue. The former Bears kicker inexplicably missed a 32-yard game-winning field goal attempt in overtime. Younghoe Koo made from 41 with less than two minutes remaining for a 37-34 Atlanta win.

But while the Falcons (4-4) are the sole leader atop the South, both the Buccaneers and Saints hold the tiebreaker advantage over Arthur Smith’s team. Atlanta lost to New Orleans in Week 1 and Tampa Bay in Week 5. 

MORE: Why did the Falcons trade Matt Ryan?

While it might not be as consequential as it would’ve been had the Panthers won Sunday, a Week 10 Thursday night matchup between Atlanta and Carolina will be meaningful. The Falcons also face a light schedule heading into their bye, with the Bears, Commanders and Steelers on tap after the prime-time game in Charlotte. 

If the Falcons take advantage of their weaker opponents and stay in the NFC South race, a Week 15 matchup with the Saints and even a Week 18 date with the Buccaneers could have huge implications for football’s most disorganized division.

MORE: Why Tom Brady, Bucs trailed in South after Week 8 ‘TNF’ loss

The Buccaneers are in second in the division as they hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Saints. 

NFC South standings