Falcons' loss to Bucs gives Panthers third straight NFC South title

— -- NEW ORLEANS --  Atlanta's 23-19 loss to  Tampa Bay on Sunday gave the Carolina Panthers their third consecutive NFC South title before they faced the New Orleans Saints.

No NFC South team prior to last season had won consecutive division crowns.

Atlanta and Tampa Bay now are tied for second in the division at 6-6.

The Panthers (11-0) entered their game against the Saints with a two-game lead over  Arizona for the best record in the NFC in the battle for home field-advantage throughout the playoffs.

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The Cardinals improved to 10-2 with their 27-3 win over the St. Louis Rams.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera insisted all week his team's focus was on winning at New Orleans, not clinching the division or the possibility of going 16-0 in the regular season.

The Panthers have won 15 regular-season games dating to a 41-10 victory at New Orleans last season. One more win would give them the record for the longest streak since the NFC was formed.