Comes up short

The miserable NFC South showed its true colors this afternoon.

The inconsistent Panthers got Heinicked at home by Washington, 27-21. Carolina (5-6) had an opportunity to win the game late but failed on its final drive, turning the ball over on downs.

The Saints (5-5) are now winless, 0-3, in games since Jameis Winston got injured early the Bucs’ loss to the Saints on Halloween. Today the Eagles (4-6) pounded New Orleans’ 40-29 and the game wasn’t that close. Saints QB Trevor Siemian looked like the sketchy backup he is.

So if the Bucs (6-3) take care of business on Monday night against a soft Giants team, they’ll have a full two game lead on New Orleans with seven games to play.

It has to happen. The Bucs cannot choke this opportunity away.

Enjoy this weekend’s Ira Kaufman Podcast.