It was a unique weekend for the NFC South. The division as a whole was just 2-20-1 when playing teams currently over .500 coming into Sunday’s action. Victories for the Saints and Falcons doubled that win total in beating Pittsburgh and Arizona.
- The Falcons answered the Saints win earlier in the day with one of their own in which they never trailed the nine win Cardinals. An outstanding day for Matt Ryan and Julio Jones as they two consistently challenged and beat the Cardinals vaunted corners. But we did have a unicorn moment in this game. Steven Jackson actually surpassed 100 yards rushing for the first time in his Falcons tenure. Jackson’s 101 yards on 18 carries gives him his first 100 yard game since November 25th of 2012. His first half gains on the ground certainly jumps out: 6, 55, 1, 0, 0, 1, 4, -2.
- I guess the idea that the Saints offense would improve with the health of TE Jimmy Graham were not exaggerated. The Saints offense took it to the Steelers while keeping QB Ben Roethlisberger under control throughout the day. Drew Brees’ posted five touchdown passes for the 9th time in his career and for the first time since Oct 27th of 2013 against the Buffalo Bills. Brees best year for five touchdown performances came in 2011 when he had three different games with five touchdown passes. After sputtering through a three game dome stand, the Saints may just be getting things together before their matchup in December against the Falcons in New Orleans.
- Tampa Bay took it in the shorts in the final minute of the game. In case you missed it, The Buccaneers were driving for a game winning score against the Bengals in a 14-13 game. The Bucs reached field goal range on the strength of a pass play with 12 men on the field. With the game inside of two minutes, replays can only come from the overlords in New York. In a moment of frustration and confusion, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis threw his challenge flag. Lewis was docked a timeout, but accomplished the goal of getting the play reviewed. The 12 men on the field call was made, and the Bengals defended the Bucs last ditch effort to score. That’s one of those once-in-a-season type weird outcomes teams get.
- 28 points in the first half to the Minnesota Vikings, including two blocked punts for touchdowns…really Carolina? Really? I’ve long believed that bad special teams is a lack of attention to detail and commitment to fielding a full 53 man roster. The Panthers ineptitude is only slightly covered up in this division by Tampa Bay’s. What a terrible offensive line.