Here's some quick hit thoughts for the NFC South after NFL Week 5.
- The Falcons defense is not going to improve significantly. So the offense is forced to carry them for the remainder of the season. The Falcons scored on four of their first seven drives which led to a 10 point lead. The Falcons offense than failed to score on their next four drives as their defense gave up 20 unanswered points. Averaging 27 points a game is a magic number for making the NFL playoffs these days. The Falcons averaged 30.2 points per game. But if you remove the Tampa game, they're averaging 23.8 points per game. Good enough for 15th in the NFL.
- The New Orleans Saints continue to put up impressive yardage totals as they are #1 in the NFL in yards per game offensively. They're currently 8th in the NFL in Red Zone touchdown percentage. But they are just 10th in the NFL in points per game. One of the reasons is the number of Saints turnovers so far this season. The Saints have turned the ball over nine times in five games, and with a questionable defense, the team is a -7 in turnover differential thus far. Compare that to the Jets and Cowboys who have each turned it over nine times as well. The Jets are a -6 and just 1-4 on the season. The Cowboys are even in turnover differential and are 4-1 on the season.
- How banged up is the Carolina Panthers running game? The Panthers leading rusher on Sunday came into play over the weekend having 24 career rushing yards. If you can pick Darrin Reaves out of a crowd, you either went to UAB or you are a family member of his. The undrafted rookie free agent rushed for 35 yards on 11 carries in the Panthers victory over the Chicago Bears.
- Say what you will about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but they are improving. After a road victory over Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bucs held an 11 point lead against the Saints in the 4th quarter. In the NFL, it's not always about one particular play. In can be about the situation created by the plays leading up to the moment. The Saints safety on Mike Glennon turned the game. But the Buccaneers created the situation with the Dotson holding call on first and 10 from the 20 yard line. The Bucs fumbled on 1st and 20 from the 10 and set themselves up for the safety situation.