NFC South Week 6 Review: There’s finally a team over .500

As it often does, the division split wins and losses this week, with the Saints and Panthers coming out on top. The Buccaneers failed to build on last week’s win, and the Falcons are in the midst of their 2nd losing streak of the season. Here’s the Week 6 NFC South Review: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5)

Week 6 Result: Buccaneers 19 – Steelers 26
Week 7 Opponent:  Carolina Panthers

Jalon Daniels is fun to watch, mainly because he’s not playing for my team. The UDFA is doing his best, but the limitations are clear, and as Falcons fans can attest, Zac Robinson won’t do much to alleviate them. The Buccaneers had a 13-point lead going into the 4th quarter and squandered it, giving up 16 points and pushing the contest to overtime. Being careless with the football and asking a UDFA to throw the ball 43 times proved to be their undoing.

There’s a chance Baker Mayfield could return soon, but it’s unlikely he’ll mask this team’s issues. Next week they take on the division leaders in Charlotte.

Carolina Panthers (3-2)

Week 6 Result: Panthers 25 – Eagles 14
Week 7 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After a bye week they desperately needed, the Panthers took care of business against a decimated Eagles. Carolina’s offense looks like a well-oiled machine right now. They sit atop the division as the only team in the South above .500. Some might call them “schedule merchants,” but you don’t get to pick the opponents you play, and as every NFL fan has learned, there’s no such thing as easy games in this league.

Carolina can build an even more commanding division lead this weekend when they face the Buccaneers.

New Orleans Saints (2-4)

Week 6 Result: Saints 34 – Giants 27 
Week 7 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Saints got a much-needed road win in New York. The offense came alive in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and did just enough to put the game out of reach. JJ McCarthy gave them a scare late in the game, but Kellen Moore’s team was able to survive. Tyler Shough’s all-around play wasn’t that impressive, but he delivered when he absolutely had to. This defense is still one of the worst in the league, but the offense can keep them afloat against most sub-par opponents.

They’ll return to the dome and host the Steelers, who are coming off an overtime win against the Buccaneers. 

Atlanta Falcons (2-4)

Week 6 Result: Falcons 23 – Bears 21
Week 7 Opponent: San Francisco 49ers

The Falcons have lost two games in a row for the second time this season. The offense came out flat, scoring only one touchdown in the first three quarters, and the defense is playing guys at the bottom of the roster across multiple positions. The late effort was good to see, but it was too little too late. This offense struggles under pressure, and it struggles as a unit.

The play calling in these scenarios often relies on long developing routes and lacks quick hitters. Penix is struggling to diagnose pressure and is holding the ball too long, and the offensive line is struggling to win one-on-ones and sort out the blitz. Bijan Robinson also had his worst game as a pass blocker. Things won’t get easier soon, as the team hosts the 49ers and a pair of familiar coaches. 

The Panthers are the only winning team in the division, and if others can’t find their footing soon, it looks like the cats will run away with it. There’s still more than half a season to play, but this could be the least dramatic finish we’ve seen in the NFC South in a long time.