A week off gave the Falcons a chance to sit back, relax, and get a good look at their NFC South competitors. Here is a bit of what the Falcons have to look forward to in what is shaping up to be a very exciting division race.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Record: 3-4
Against Falcons: at Atlanta Week 10, vs. Atlanta Week 14.
The 2006 NFC South Champions have more playmakers than anyone, but the ship might be sinking. They’ve been wildly inconsistent and have struggled with injuries. Add Reggie Bush to that list. He’s out for at least a few weeks after suffering an ankle injury yesterday in Carolina.
The Saints are in the middle of a simply brutal stretch. They head to London this week, where they will face the Chargers. They head to the bye week afterward, and after that they face two more weeks on the road, including the matchup in Atlanta on Nov. 9.
If New Orleans continues to struggle, its season could basically be over in a few weeks. But it’s hard to count out a team with an offensive attack that includes two-time Pro Bowler Drew Brees, a healthy Marques Colston at wideout, and an offensive mastermind in head coach Sean Payton calling the plays.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Record: 5-2
Against Falcons: vs Atlanta Week 4 (W 24-9), at Atlanta Week 12.
The Panthers have been one of the hardest teams to figure out over the past several years. Sometimes they look like one of the best teams in the conference, and sometimes they look like an undisciplined and lethargic bunch of mismatch pieces. No better example of that came over the past two weeks. John Fox’s team got blown out in Tampa 27-3 two weeks ago, but responded last week to pummel the Saints in Charlotte, 30-7.
The schedule sets up nicely for the Panthers. They’ve got Arizona at home on Sunday heading into a bye week, then it’s a trip to lowly Oakland and a home game with the winless Detroit Lions before they come to Atlanta on Nov. 23.
The Falcons know that they can hang with Carolina; they were right there in the fourth quarter in the Week 4 loss. The matchup between the two at The Dome in late November will go a long way in determining the playoff fates of both teams.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Record: 5-2
Against Falcons: vs. Atlanta Week 2 (W 24-9), at Atlanta Week 15.
The defending NFC South champions look primed to make another run at the division crown. They blew out the Panthers and easily dispatched the Seahawks on Sunday evening. Their recent form certainly makes them the midseason favorites to take home the South.
Keeping up with the Bucs in the division will be difficult for everyone. Their defense is as good as ever, having given up just two touchdowns over the past three quarters (the second of those coming in garbage time in the win against Seattle). The defense is the most experienced unit in the division as well, featuring veteran linebacker Derrick Brooks and cornerback Ronde Barber.
Jeff Garcia is also back at his best under center. His steadying hand makes the Bucs all the more dangerous, as they can beat teams on either side of the ball. This is currently the most complete team in the division, and it’s hard to bet against them at this point.
Bagriansky can be reached at jbagriansky@scoreatl.com.
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