NFC South
Tampa Bay still looks like the head of the class here but with the way the Bucs are playing, someone is going to catch up… eventually.
Atlanta Falcons – I keep downplaying Cordarrelle Patterson’s contributions but he keeps rising towards the top of the rushing ranks. He has 302 rushing yards and is second behind Cleveland’s Nick Chubb. Marcus Mariota is also keeping the Falcons competitive and is connecting with Drake London and Kyle Pitts. They could use one more playmaker though.
Carolina Panthers – Two big plays helped snap a nine-game losing streak for the Panthers: Marquis Haynes took a fumble return 44 yards to the house and Lavish Shenault caught a pass in the 4th quarter and outraced the Saints secondary 67 yards for a game-winning score. D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson were each held to one catch.
New Orleans Saints – Alvin Kamara continues to struggle this season as he now has just 100 yards rushing after two games. He played through a rib injury that caused him to miss Week 2, but is clearly not 100 percent and the Saints’ featured tailback lost one fumble. Jameis Winston added two turnovers of his own but he was able to recover them. Winston has developed good early chemistry with rookie Chris Olave, who leads the team with 29 targets, 17 receptions and 268 yards receiving.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – This was ugly, with a capital U. Brady dinked and dunked his way to 271 yards but the Packers were ready for Leonard Fournette, who had 17 touches for 70 scoreless yards. Russell Gage picked up the slack, as the Bucs were missing key components at receiver. Gage caught 12-of-13 targets for 87 yards and a score. Cameron Brate caught five passes for 52 yards but the rest of the Bucs players were quiet against an elite secondary.
