NFC South
How many wins do the Falcons need before Arthur Smith get some attention for what he’s doing there? Implementing a run-first offense, the Falcons are a few defensive stops from being 4-0. Consider how competitive they are with a bridge quarterback under center. The Bucs are still the head of the class but don’t sleep on the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons – Cordarrelle Patterson was dealing with a knee injury and managed the pain. However, he played on a limited basis Sunday and still rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown. After the game, he was placed on the IR to have a procedure done to help fix the knee. He is expected to return on November 6, but will miss four games. Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley split time in the backfield, each getting 10 carries. Avery Williams is another possibility, as is Damien Williams who was on the IR with a rib injury suffered in Week 1.
Carolina Panthers – Baker Mayfield is back to his old ways. He threw for less than 200 yards with two interceptions. Most of his completed passes went to Christian McCaffrey, who got nothing on the ground. He just can’t get on the same page as his receivers as D.J. Moore has 13 receptions out of 29 targets this year while Robbie Anderson has just 12 receptions out of 22 targets. Mayfield also keeps trying to throw to rookie Shi Smith but he has been able to catch 4-of-13 targets.
New Orleans Saints – Still no Alvin Kamara, also no Michael Thomas, so the Saints chased points until the middle of the fourth quarter when Taysom Hill ran a two-yard touchdown in. Andy Dalton subbed in for an injured Jameis Winston and was error free in comparison. There just wasn’t enough oomph in the offense with Latavius Murray and Chris Olave leading the way. Yes, the same Latavius Murray, who is now playing for Denver. Keep up, Bruno Boys Nation!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tom Brady got a break from the intense defenses coming at him. Against the Chiefs, he put 385 yards and three touchdowns. He was the Bucs’ entire offense because Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White rushed for a total of six times for three yards. Brady enjoyed having Mike Evans back and he was fed accordingly. He also had Chris Godwin back and between them, and the two aforementioned running backs, they accounted for 73 percent of the offense.
