NFC South After Week 10: Entire Division Takes Step Forward

Coming into Week 10, the entire NFC South was in action with the Saints the only team to play on the road. The 1st Place New Orleans Saints (that feels nice to say) traveling to Western New York to face the undefeated-at-home Buffalo Bills. The 2nd Place Carolina Panthers hosted Jay Cutler and the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football. The 3rd Place Atlanta Falcons played host to Dak Prescott and the surging Dallas Cowboys, and the last place Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted the surprising New York Jets.

So what happened in Week 10?

Each NFC South team won their game to keep the standings identical moving into next week. Aside from a close contest in Tampa Bay where the Bucs won with a final score of 10-15, all of the other games were won in blowout fashion. The Saints manhandled the Bills on the ground, rushing as a team for almost 300 yards to rout the Bills 47-10. The Panthers played one quarter of close football, and then blew out the Dolphins with a final score of 21-45. The Falcons were able to take advantage of a Cowboys team without their starting Running Back and Left Tackle, sacking Dak Prescott on seemingly every drive to the tune of 7-27.

Next week, the Carolina Panthers finally have their Bye week with the other three teams in the division back in action. This time, it is the Saints turn to be playing at home, as they host the 4-5 Washington Redskins. Both of those games are at noon on Sunday CST. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take a short bus ride to Miami to face the Miami Dolphins while the Atlanta Falcons travel across the country to face the Seattle Seahawks and the formidable “12th Man” on Monday Night Football.

This week has all of the makings of the typical “trap game”. We need to take it one game at a time. Win, and let the rest of the division take care of itself. #BeattheRedskins