The NFC South is in disarray right now. Everyone is still alive in the south but it’s not because they have all been performing well, but because the entire division has been below average. Some of the most lopsided victories this season has come against the south. This week will either create a little separation between the top and bottom of the division, or it will further cloud an already murky division.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off of a bye week that was filled with questions about toughness and questions about personnel. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was scrutinized by many for helping opposing players up after plays. Then he was very critical of himself and his defense going as far as to call them soft.
The Buccaneers also reportedly listened to calls from other teams who were interested in acquiring receiver Vincent Jackson in a trade. Head coach Lovie Smith assured the public that although they would listen to any phone call, they were not interested in trading Jackson.
The bye week allowed key players like McCoy, middle linebacker Mason Foster, defensive end Michael Johnson and rookie receiver Mike Evans to get a little healthier. This week the Buccaneers welcome in an equally disappointing Minnesota Vikings team who since the suspension of All Pro running back Adrian Peterson has looked like a team in full rebuild mode.
The defensive line of the Buccaneers should have success against a Vikings offensive line that has been less than stellar all season. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is coming off a very rough outing and the Bucs will look to jump on him quickly before he gains any confidence.
As bad as the Buccaneers have been, the mediocrity of the NFC South to this point still gives them hope that they can turn their season around but time is almost out. The Bucs need a win to go with their announcement of a new 7 year 98 million dollar contact extension for McCoy or people might wonder “Do we need McCoy if he doesn’t help us win games?”
The Atlanta Falcons bring a beat up offensive line to London to go against arguably the best defensive line in football and the Detroit Lions. Although Julio Jones continues to have an excellent season the remainder of the receiving corps has not been able to continue the success they had earlier in the season when Matt Ryan looked like an MVP candidate.
The inexperienced Falcons secondary will hope that all world wide receiver Calvin Johnson is still not ready to return to action or it could be a long night for the Falcons pass defenders. Atlanta could help their efforts if their defensive line was able to get any pressure on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford has been know to throw it to the opposition if pressured enough. If they allow Stafford to sit comfortably in the pocket he will undoubtably make them pay.
The run game has been virtually non-existent the entire season with the exception of the Bucs game where everything seemed to work on offense. They will need their running back corp to step up and produce to keep the Lions defensive line from pinning their ears back and launching an all out assault on Ryan.
At 2-5 the Falcons need a victory over the Lions to keep pace with the leaders in the NFC South and hold out hope that they can turn their fortunes around by getting healthier in time to make a run in the second half of the season. A loss almost certainly put their playoff hopes on life support.
For New Orleans, they are happy that they don’t have to see that Detroit defense again. The Lions had quarterback Drew Brees running for his life and throwing the ball places he didn’t want to. They also did a great job of keeping the Saints running game in check.
The defense while improved over the beginning of the season still is recovering from the loss of safety Jarrius Byrd. Unfortunately the defensive backfield will have their hands full with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers’ passing game. Since Rodgers declaration that everyone needed to relax he and the receiving corp has been on fire lighting defenses up. rob Ryan needs to find ways to put pressure on Rodgers or it will definitely be a rough day for the Saints.
Adding to the Saints woes are injuries to Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson which will keep them both out of this contest. Mark Ingram is back from injury but he will have to be more effective than his 10 carries for 16 yards against the Lions. The Packers defense is not as stout as Detroit’s so there should be opportunities for Ingram to regain the form we say early in the season.
Jimmy Graham is questionable and will likely be a game time decision. It would definitely help out Brees to have his main target back. Even if he plays you have to wonder what his level of effectiveness would be. It is likely that he might be there just as a decoy and not be very effective.
The Saints are the closest threat to the Panthers and must get a win to try and stay within arms reach of Carolina.
As for the Panthers they sit atop the division but barely. They are currently 3-3-1 and have been playing up and down football all season. The defense is definitely feeling the loss of defensive end Greg Hardy and has looked pedestrian all season. This week they will have to deal with Seattle and Russell Wilson who has been spectacular. Last week he passed for over 300 yards and rushed for over a 100. The Panthers have not had success putting consistent pressure on the quarterback all season and if could be in for a rough night if they don’t keep Wilson bottled up.
The running game has also been disappointing for the Panthers as well. Whether injury or ineffectiveness, the Panthers may have the most underachieving running back unit in all of football. DeAngelo Williams and Fozzy Whitaker are already ruled out for this week and Chris Ogbonnaya is questionable with a groin injury. This means that Jonathan Stewart will be the bell cow for the Panthers this week. If he is ineffective against a formidable Seahawks defense then the responsibility will fall on Cam Newton to be superman again.
While Newton has rounded into form after a slow start it is still tough to ask him to be a one man show against one of the best defenses in football. A loss will make the NFC South even more convoluted than it already is.
