The Falcoholic
The NFC South doesn’t look like the punching bag we’ve come to know it as. There are now three teams at .500 or better, and all of them look like they have the potential to do some damage if they can maintain their momentum—except the Saints.
Here’s the Week 6 NFC South Review.
Week 6 Result: Buccaneers 30 – 49ers 19
Week 7 Opponent: Detroit Lions
Baker Mayfield would have my vote for MVP if the polls closed today. The quarterback has carried his team and helped them overcome the loss of so many players through his individual playmaking. It doesn’t seem to matter who takes the field with Mayfield; the Buccaneers always have a chance to win the game if he’s playing.
Todd Bowles deserves a lot of credit for the hirings he’s made at OC. Bowles has replaced three in three years, and the Buccaneers offense hasn’t lost a step. Everyone else in the division is playing catch-up, but a tough Monday Night Football matchup with the Detroit Lions could give division foes the break they need.
Week 6 Result: Saints 19 – Patriots 25
Week 7 Opponent: Chicago Bears
New Orleans fell back into the losers’ column this week. While competitive, the Saints couldn’t stop the trick-shot artist Drake Maye. Those who run the swamp are already thinking about the team’s future draft position, but the players are fighting for their pride and future careers.
This team doesn’t go down without a fight, but it goes down all the same. This week, the Saints take on Caleb Williams and the Bears in hopes of making this season less embarrassing than it already is.
Week 6 Result: Panthers 30 – Cowboys 27
Week 7 Opponent: New York Jets
The Panthers have clawed their way back to .500 after a rollercoaster start. Two weeks in a row, the opposing defense had no answers for Rico Dowdle (who’s doing a fantastic Bijan Robinson impression). Bryce Young is being asked to do less, and that appears to be a winning formula for this team. It’s still hard to get a read on the cats who love playing at home and fear going on the road, given their 3-0 and 0-3 splits.
That theory will be tested this week as the Panthers hit the road to take on the Jets in the Big Apple (not really; this is in New Jersey—everything is a lie).
Week 6 Result: Falcons 24 – Bills 14
Week 7 Opponent: Buffalo Bills
The Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL world with their defensive dominance on Monday Night Football. Josh Allen and Joe Brady had no answers for Jeff Ulbrich’s chaotic blitz-heavy defense. Bijan Robinson put up an NFC Player of the Week performance, with his video game-like numbers, and is on pace for an Offensive Player of the Year award.
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, the Falcons...
