The Atlanta Falcons are the only NFC South team on bye, but for the rest of the teams, it was a perfect week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After losing to the Eagles last week, the Buccaneers hoped to bounce back with a win. Their opponent, the Seahawks, would not be an easy win, but Tampa Bay still got in done. The game ended in an electric 38-35, and it was a shootout the entire day. QB Baker Mayfield had an excellent day with 379 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Although he was the main reason the Bucs
stayed in this game, the defense got the Seahawks to turn the ball over twice, which kept Seattle QB Sam Darnold from winning this game. This was yet another game the Buccaneers barely won, but they got it done
Carolina Panthers
Turnovers are usually the difference in many games, like with the Buccaneers and the Saints, which will get to next. For the Panthers, this was not the case in their win over the Dolphins. QB Bryce Young was intercepted, fumbled the ball, and the Dolphins did not turn the ball over, but somehow, the Panthers won 27-24, so how? Lucky for Carolina, Miami has one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. RB Rico Dowdle finished with over 200 yards and had a touchdown. The funny thing is, the Dolphins running offense may have been just as bad. This was a close game, but somehow Miami ran 14 times, with only 19 yards. Could this be due to the Panthers run defense being decent? Maybe. The issue is the Dolphins barely even tested the Panthers, and Carolina took advantage of this.
New Orleans Saints
It happened. The New Orleans Saints have won their first game of the season and completed the perfect week for the NFC South. I mentioned it before, but turnovers were the major difference in this game. After going up 14-3, the New York Giants turned the ball over 5 straight times (3 fumbles and 2 interceptions). QB Spencer Rattler and head coach Kellen Moore are developing their skills right before our eyes, the young players have stepped up with big plays, the offensive line did not give up a sack against one of the best defensive lines in the league, and rookie safety Jonas Sanker looks to be competing for Defensive Rookie of the Year. This was the first step for the rebuilding Saints, and now, the team is looking to build upon this success.
Current NFC South Standings
- Buccaneers (3-1)
- Falcons (2-2)
- Panthers (2-3)
- Saints (1-4)
