The NFC South After Week 5: Bucs Buckle

Coming into Week 5, only half of the NFC South was in action. The 2-2 New Orleans Saints and 3-1 Atlanta Falcons had early Bye weeks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an early game, facing the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, while the Carolina Panthers faced the Saints’ Week 6 opponent, the Detroit Lions in Detroit.

So what happened in Week 5?

It was almost perfect, but it still wasn’t bad.

The Buccaneers lost a close game to the Patriots, 19-14 in Tampa Bay. The Panthers were able to hold on for the win in a close game themselves, beating Detroit 27-24. The Panthers tried pulling a “Falcon” by giving up a big lead late, but that means the only divisional team to win in Week 5 was the only divisional team that the Saints have already beaten.

Next week, another NFC South team plays on Thursday night, when the Carolina Panthers host the electric Philadelphia Eagles. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to an Arizona Cardinals team that, for the second year in a row, is falling far short of preseason expectations. The Atlanta Falcons have it easier, hosting the Miami Dolphins, who just finally broke their two-game losing streak. The New Orleans Saints will host the aforementioned Lions in what looks to be a high-scoring affair.

With two tough opponents for the Saints in the next two weeks, a win next week would be huge. Win, and let the rest of the division take care of itself. #BeattheLions