<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MqTSs3eaDOsz24ixKDciaFCBxjs=/0x0:4376x2917/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73591994/2172236822.0.jpg">
Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
The division is shaping up to be tougher than anticipated. It’s still early in the season, but teams are starting to separate themselves, either sending fans into a panic or giving them an inflated sense of confidence. That’s no different in the NFC South, where the conference now stands 5-3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints have emerged as early-season favorites to make the playoffs. The Carolina Panthers continue to regress with little hope in sight, while the Atlanta Falcons get back on track after a thriller on Monday Night Football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 2 Result: Buccaneers 20 - Lions 16
Week 3 Opponent: Denver Broncos
Last week, the Buccaneers had an impressive win over the Commanders, but that was against a rookie quarterback and a new coaching staff. Heading into the Lions game, many wondered if that performance could transfer against one of the Super Bowl preseason favorites.
Tampa Bay won this kneecap-eating contest by suffocating Detroit’s scoring offense and making Jared Goff pay for his mistakes. What makes this win truly noteworthy is that the Buccaneers were down five starters. The team has shown early on that they can lean on both sides of the football and overcome adversity against tough football teams.
Next week, the Buccaneers face off against Bo Nix and the Broncos, who are still seeking their first win.
New Orleans Saints
Week 2 Result: Saints 47 - Panthers 10
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
The Saints have started the season with consecutive 40+ point performances, with touchdowns in seven out of eight quarters. The Saints beat up on a Panthers team in week one that has looked completely lost after two games, but the Dallas Cowboys presented a much more impressive roster, yet the Saints blew by them with ease, too.
The addition of Klint Kubiak has already been proven invaluable, and while scoring 40 points per game may not be sustainable, they won’t have to keep that going if the defense keeps playing lights out as well. The Saints secondary has been impressive to start the season, allowing only one passing touchdown to match with four interceptions.
The Saints will take on an Eagles team that just lost a heartbreaker in the final minute of Monday Night Football.
Carolina Panthers
Week 2 Result: Panthers 6 - Chargers 26
Week 3 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
Last week, I said some harsh (accurate) things about the Panthers. This week, there really isn’t much to add. The Panthers lone touchdown of the season came down 34 late in the third quarter of week one on a three-yard Bryce Young scramble. In last Sunday’s matchup, the Chargers imposed their will–rushing for over 200 yards on the ground while holding the Panthers to under 100 in both passing and rushing.
Through just two games, Dave Canales offense has zero passing touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 352 total yards. First-overall pick Bryce Young has entered bust territory as the team has elected to bench him after his abysmal play to start the year. To make matters worse, the defense has been getting gashed, giving up 73 points in just two games.
The Raiders are licking their chops about facing Carolina after they manged an improbable comeback against the Baltimore Ravens.
Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 Result: Falcons 22 - Eagles 21
Week 3 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
After a head-scratching gameplan in week one, the Atlanta Falcons bounced back against the Philadelphia Eagles with a stunning win in the game’s final moments. Kirk Cousins didn’t play perfectly, but he showed that while he may still be regaining some strength, he is healthy enough to run this offense to the fullest. Bijan and the running game will still be the engine of this offense, but it is encouraging to see the improvement in just one week. Zac Robinson rose to the occasion and should continue improving with more games.
The Falcons defense took some punches early on but made plays in key moments that kept the match within reach for the offense, and sealed the game with an interception when the Eagles were flirting with field goal territory.
The dirty birds will be back in primetime Sunday night against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The NFC South is off to a competitive start, and all non-Tepper-owned teams look like they have a legitimate chance at competing for the division title. It’s still very early in the season, but could the division be experiencing a renaissance?
<img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MqTSs3eaDOsz24ixKDciaFCBxjs=/0x0:4376x2917/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73591994/2172236822.0.jpg">
Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
The division is shaping up to be tougher than anticipated. It’s still early in the season, but teams are starting to separate themselves, either sending fans into a panic or giving them an inflated sense of confidence. That’s no different in the NFC South, where the conference now stands 5-3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints have emerged as early-season favorites to make the playoffs. The Carolina Panthers continue to regress with little hope in sight, while the Atlanta Falcons get back on track after a thriller on Monday Night Football.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 2 Result: Buccaneers 20 - Lions 16
Week 3 Opponent: Denver Broncos
Last week, the Buccaneers had an impressive win over the Commanders, but that was against a rookie quarterback and a new coaching staff. Heading into the Lions game, many wondered if that performance could transfer against one of the Super Bowl preseason favorites.
Tampa Bay won this kneecap-eating contest by suffocating Detroit’s scoring offense and making Jared Goff pay for his mistakes. What makes this win truly noteworthy is that the Buccaneers were down five starters. The team has shown early on that they can lean on both sides of the football and overcome adversity against tough football teams.
Next week, the Buccaneers face off against Bo Nix and the Broncos, who are still seeking their first win.
New Orleans Saints
Week 2 Result: Saints 47 - Panthers 10
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
The Saints have started the season with consecutive 40+ point performances, with touchdowns in seven out of eight quarters. The Saints beat up on a Panthers team in week one that has looked completely lost after two games, but the Dallas Cowboys presented a much more impressive roster, yet the Saints blew by them with ease, too.
The addition of Klint Kubiak has already been proven invaluable, and while scoring 40 points per game may not be sustainable, they won’t have to keep that going if the defense keeps playing lights out as well. The Saints secondary has been impressive to start the season, allowing only one passing touchdown to match with four interceptions.
The Saints will take on an Eagles team that just lost a heartbreaker in the final minute of Monday Night Football.
Carolina Panthers
Week 2 Result: Panthers 6 - Chargers 26
Week 3 Opponent: Las Vegas Raiders
Last week, I said some harsh (accurate) things about the Panthers. This week, there really isn’t much to add. The Panthers lone touchdown of the season came down 34 late in the third quarter of week one on a three-yard Bryce Young scramble. In last Sunday’s matchup, the Chargers imposed their will–rushing for over 200 yards on the ground while holding the Panthers to under 100 in both passing and rushing.
Through just two games, Dave Canales offense has zero passing touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 352 total yards. First-overall pick Bryce Young has entered bust territory as the team has elected to bench him after his abysmal play to start the year. To make matters worse, the defense has been getting gashed, giving up 73 points in just two games.
The Raiders are licking their chops about facing Carolina after they manged an improbable comeback against the Baltimore Ravens.
Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 Result: Falcons 22 - Eagles 21
Week 3 Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
After a head-scratching gameplan in week one, the Atlanta Falcons bounced back against the Philadelphia Eagles with a stunning win in the game’s final moments. Kirk Cousins didn’t play perfectly, but he showed that while he may still be regaining some strength, he is healthy enough to run this offense to the fullest. Bijan and the running game will still be the engine of this offense, but it is encouraging to see the improvement in just one week. Zac Robinson rose to the occasion and should continue improving with more games.
The Falcons defense took some punches early on but made plays in key moments that kept the match within reach for the offense, and sealed the game with an interception when the Eagles were flirting with field goal territory.
The dirty birds will be back in primetime Sunday night against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The NFC South is off to a competitive start, and all non-Tepper-owned teams look like they have a legitimate chance at competing for the division title. It’s still very early in the season, but could the division be experiencing a renaissance?
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