EXCLUSIVE: Tom Brady and the Buccaneers or Sam Darnold the Panthers to win the NFC South? Ex-Falcons HC Mike Smith reveals his pick  

Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers in an NFC South divisional battle on Sunday. It will be the biggest game of the season for both teams as their playoff hopes hinge on winning this contest.

Brady and the Buccaneers can wrap up the NFC South division title with a win and punch their ticket to the playoffs. However, a victory for Darnold and the Panthers will see them usurp Tampa Bay atop the NFC South standings with one game left in the season.

On the latest episode of Sportskeeda's BallFather podcast, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith made his pick for the crucial game on Sunday:

"I think it's going to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You know, they're probably the best team and have the best pedigree."

Co-host Reggie Roberts also noted Brady's ability to pull off late wins like he did on Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals could prove to be the difference against the Panthers:

"Tom Brady looked listless. They [Buccaneers] can't run it. They can't stop. And then all of a sudden, in the overtime period, he presses a button, he shows up, six straight completions, they took the field goal, and he makes a field goal and then off they go."

Tom Brady's 21-year record on the line on Sunday

Tom Brady and the Buccaneers could win the division even if they fail to beat the Panthers on Sunday. If the New Orleans Saints upstage Carolina and the Buccaneers beat the Falcons in Week 18, Tampa Bay will head to the playoffs, courtesy of a better record.

However, if the Buccaneers lose on Sunday, Brady's record of 21 straight seasons with a winning record will come to an end. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has been on a roster with a losing record only once in his career.

The New England Patriots finished with a 5-11 record in Brady's rookie season in 2000. Brady took over from the Patriots' starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe during the 2001 season and never looked back. They finished with an 11-5 record and won the Super Bowl.

Defeat on Sunday will see the Buccaneers drop to 6-9 and confirm that they finish the regular season with a losing record. Tom Brady will do everything in his power to ensure his 21-year record stays intact and the Buccaneers head to the playoffs.

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The latest episode of the BallFather podcast will be out soon. If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Sportskeeda.