The Falcoholic
The division went 1-2 while Tampa Bay was sidelined. Carolina looks legit, New Orleans is a dumpster fire, and Atlanta finds a way to lose.
Here is the Week 9 NFC South Review.
Week 9 Result: Bye Week
Week 10 Opponent: New England Patriots
The Buccaneers got some much-needed rest and watched the division go 1-2 while out of action. Tampa Bay has been dealing with significant injuries since the summer, but hopes to get Bucky Irving and others back now that the bye is over.
This is still their division to lose, but they will be challenged by a scrappy Panthers team down the road. Before that time comes, they’ll need to take care of business against the New England Patriots in Week 10.
Week 9 Result: Saints 10 – Rams 34
Week 10 Opponent: Carolina Panthers
It was only his first start, but the Tyler Shough-led Saints don’t look different from the Spencer Rattler version; if anything, it’s worse. I’m not sure if the Saints future quarterback is on their roster, but I don’t think they’ll be happy with the use of this year’s 2nd round pick in the long run.
On the other side of the ball, the story is just as grim. This is a bad defense that has struggled to stop offenses all year, and that won’t be changing soon. Many expect the team to be sellers at the deadline. This season was over before it started.
Week 9 Result: Panthers 16 – Packers 13
Week 10 Opponent: New Orleans Saints
The Panthers went on the road to Lambeau Field, Bryce Young threw for 102 yards and an interception, and they won. It may not be pretty, and you may not like it, but this is a winning football team, and the favorite to finish as runner-up to the Buccaneers. Rico Dowdle might be the best low-budget signing of the season, and it looks like things are starting to click for Ejiro Evero’s defense.
This team isn’t a heavyweight, but they’ll knock you out if you take them lightly. They’ll face the lowly Saints in Week 10 and look to stay undefeated in division play.
Week 9 Result: Falcons 23 – Patriots 24
Week 10 Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
The Falcons’ effort and fight were not questioned in this one, but their careless mistakes and volatility followed them on the road. A Drake London hat trick and Jalon Walker breakout game were spoiled. The team still has a kicking problem a year after its discovery, and coaching has hit a wall. It’s never a good look to be the bad team in a bad division. The Falcons have now lost three in a row, and it could very easily turn into four against the Colts in Indy. Their division title hopes are gone.
The Panthers are doing their best to make this division a competition. If they can...
