NFC South Division in NFL: Teams, Stadiums, Coaches, Mascots

The NFC South, or The National Football Conference – South, is one of the four National Football Conference (NFC) divisions in the National Football League (NFL).

This division features the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and the Carolina Panthers. Based on these teams’ all-time winning percentage, this has traditionally been one of the weakest divisions in the NFL.

List of NFC South Teams

1.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers,

2.) New Orleans Saints,

3.) Atlanta Falcons, and

4.) Carolina Panthers.

FAQ on the NFC South

Let’s cover some frequently asked questions about the NFC South

What NFL teams are in the NFC South?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers.

What NFC South team has the most Super Bowl appearances?

Since the 2002 realignment, all four NFC South teams have made at least one Super Bowl appearance. Tampa Bay (2002 and 2020) and Carolina (2003 and 2015)have both made it to the Super Bowl twice.

What team has won the most Super Bowls in the NFC South?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the most Super Bowls of NFC South teams, with two victories. The Saints have one Super Bowl win.

What is the biggest rivalry in the NFC South?

The biggest rivalry in the NFC South is the New Orleans Saints vs. The Atlanta Falcons. These two teams played their first game against each other in 1967. Since 1970, they’ve played each other at least twice a year. Both teams call the Deep South home. Games have been competitive and played at a high level throughout the years. And perhaps most importantly, the fan bases for both teams are loyal and loud.

You might also enjoy our write-up on the AFC West, NFC West, and NFC North.

NFC South Teams: Overview and Fun Facts

Let’s take a closer look at the four teams that represent the NFC South.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in their NFL history. The Bucs are coming off a division win in the 2022-23 season but still just finished with eight wins and nine losses. With Tom Brady retired, the Bucs have a lot of questions on offense.

Bucs Snapshot

Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
Seating Capacity: 75,000
Head Coach: Todd Bowles
Owners: Joel Glazer

All-time Won/Loss Record (through 2022-23 season): The Bucs have the words winning percentage of all NFL teams at .404. They’ve won 299 times, lost 442 times, and tied once.

Year Established: 1974
Mascot: Captain Fear is the Buc’s mascot. He’s a Caribbean pirate captain.
Super Bowl Wins: Two. The Bucs won Super Bowl titles in 2003 (Doug Williams QB) and 2021 (Tom Brady QB).

Biggest Rival: The New Orleans Saints are the biggest rival of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Face of the Franchise: Michael Evans.

Buccaneers Overview

With Tom Brady’s departure – he retired in February 2023 – the Bucs are looking for a new identity for the team and a leader for the offense. It looks like Kyle Trask will be battling Baker Mayfield for the opportunity to replace Brady.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fun Facts

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only NFL team to win a Super Bowl at their home stadium.
The Bucs are undefeated in Super Bowls – 2 & 0.
The Bucs’ expansion year was 1976. They lost their first 26 games. They went winless for an entire NFL season.
The Bucs’ first coach, John McKay, was known for his quick wit and funny quotes. He was once asked, “What do you think of your team’s execution, coach?” His reply was, “I’m in favor of it.”
The Bucs celebrated their 2021 Super Bowl Victory with a boat parade.
Tampa’s jersey colors are Buccaneer red, pewter, and bay orange.
The Bucs have won seven division championships.
Famous Bucs from years gone by include Tom Brady, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Lee Roy Selmon, John Lynch, and Warrick Dunn.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are coming off a disappointing 7 & 10 season last year. This year they hope to be back in the NFL playoffs.

Saints Snapshot

Stadium: Caesars Superdome
Seating Capacity: 83,000
Head Coach: Dennis Allen
Owner: Gayle Benson.

All-time Won/Loss Record (through 2022-23 season): The Saints have a .467 winning percentage. They’ve won 403 games, lost 460 games, and tied five games.

Year Established: 1967
Mascot: Sir Saint and Gumbo The Dog.
Super Bowl Wins: The Saints have been in just one Super Bowl, which they won in 2010.

Biggest Rival: Atlanta Falcons
Face of the Franchise: Alvin Kamara

Saints Overview

Derek Carr will lead the Saints at QB. He’ll have to lead the charge without star running back Alvin Kamara, who is suspended for the first three games of the season for his involvement in a fight in Las Vegas.

New Orleans Saints Fun Facts

The New Orleans Saints are named after the hymn “When The Saints Go Marching In” and the music heritage of the city of New Orleans. The team’s birthday is on All Saint’s Day, a notable day for the Roman Catholic Church.
The Saints played their first game at Tulane Stadium.
The logo of the Saints is the fleur-de-lis.
Archie Manning, the father of Peyton and Eli, was the Saints QB for many years.
The Saints have won five NFC Division Championships.
Famous Saints players include Drew Brees, Rickey Jackson, Archie Manning, Willie Roaf, Reggie Bush, Sam Mills, and Ricky Williams.
The Saints didn’t make it to the playoffs until 20 years from their opening game.
When the 1980 team lost their first 14 games, a local sportscaster suggested fans should wear paper bags over their heads with eye holes. The Saints, at least for that time period, became known as the Ain’ts.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are looking to improve on their 2022 record of 7 wins and 10 losses. Expectations are high for their first-round draft pick Bijan Robinson. Some experts are suggesting that as soon as he suits up for the Falcons in 2023, he’ll be the best running back in the NFL.

Falcons Snapshot

Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Seating Capacity: 79,330
Head Coach: Arthur Smith
Owner: Arthur Blank – Co-founder of The Home Depot.

All-time Won/Loss Record (through 2022-23 season): The Falcons have a winning percentage of .438. They’ve won 383 games, lost 493 games, and tied six games.

Year Established: 1965
Mascot: Frederick “Freddie” Falcon has been at it for some 35 years.
Super Bowl Wins: The Falcons have never won the Super Bowl.

Biggest Rival: New Orleans Saints.
Face of the Franchise: Bijan Robinson

Falcons Overview

According to Vegas oddsmakers, the Falcons have +6000 odds to be Super Bowl victors. Those are not great odds, but there’s still reason for optimism in Atlanta. The addition of Bijan Robinson could have a big impact on the Falcons’ offense.

Atlanta Falcons Fun Facts

The Falcons’ nickname is the “Dirty Birds.” It’s a reference to the 1998 teams where offensive players executed some entertaining dances for touchdown celebrations. Jamaal Anderson was the leader of these TD celebrations.
The Falcons based their team colors on the Georgia Bulldogs team colors.
The Falcons drafted Brett Favre but traded him to the Green Bay Packers.
The Falcons were the first team to play the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium plaza has the largest metal bird statue on Earth. The metal bird has a 64-foot wingspan.
Matt Ryan threw for 503 years in a 2016 game.
Julio Jones had 300 receiving yards in the same game.
Famous Falcons include William Andrews, Julio Jones, Michael Turner, Tommy Noble, Matt Ryan, Jamall Anderson, and Andrew Rison.

Carolina Panthers

With new head coach Frank Reich, the Panthers are looking to improve on their 7 & 10 record. With the first overall pick in the NFL draft, the Panther selected Bryce Young, QB from Alabama.

Panthers Snapshot

Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
Seating Capacity: 74,867
Head Coach: Frank Reich
Owner: David Tepper – Billionaire hedge fund manager.

All-time Won/Loss Record (through 2022-23 season): The Panthers have a .472 winning percentage. They’ve won 212 games, lost 237 games, and tied once.

Year Established: 1993
Mascot: Sir Purr – an anthropomorphized panther who wears number 00 on his Panthers’ jersey.
Super Bowl Wins: The Panthers have yet to win a Super Bowl.

Biggest Rival: Atlanta Falcons
Face of the Franchise: Bryce Young. The rookie is the new face of the Panthers.

Panthers Overview

Looks to be a rebuilding year for the Panthers, but it will be interesting to see how quickly Bryce Young can adapt to the NFL.

Carolina Panthers Fun Facts

The nickname “Cardiac Cats” was given to the 2003 Carolina Panthers team.
The team’s colors are blue, silver, black, and white.
The Panther’s drumline is called Purrcussion.
The Panthers frequently play Neil Diamond’s classic song “Sweet Caroline” following home wins.
Notable Panthers include Sam Mills, Cam Newton, Julius Peppers, Steve Smith Sr., Greg Olsen, and Reggie White.
The Panther logo represents the outline of North and South Carolina. Just squint and it might be easier to see.
“Keep Pounding” is the Panther’s rallying cry. It was the personal motto of Sam Mills, Panthers lineback, who passed in 2005 after a courageous battle with intestinal cancer.

NFC South Final Thoughts

The NFC South division features four teams who know what it’s like to pay your dues in the NFL. Other NFL divisions feature teams with stronger winning percentages and more Super Bowl appearances. However, NFC South teams have had some big wins.

The NFC has been very competitive, and fans from these teams love their football.

With Bryce Young and Bijan Robinson joining the NFC South this year, there promises to be a lot of exciting football. Let’s see!

By Mike O’Halloran

Mike is the founder and editor of Sports Feel Good Stories. Mike was a contributing writer to USA Football, the youth arm of the NFL.

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