The division is either at or below .500 five weeks into the season, so it looks like more of the same for the NFC South.
The division saw more losses than wins this week. With the Panthers on their bye week, the Buccaneers pulled off a primetime upset, while the Falcons found themselves on the opposite end of that scenario. The Saints continue to stink.
Here’s the Week 5 NFC South Review.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)
Week 5 Result: Buccaneers 24 - Cowboys 16
Week 6 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Buccaneers desperately needed a win, and UDFA Jalon Daniels delivered in primetime. It wasn’t a pretty win; the Cowboys practically gave the game away with a smorgasbord of mental mistakes and turnovers, but a win is a win.
The Buccaneers hardly feel like a threat sitting at 1-4, and their odds of winning the division are still low, but they are no longer staring down the barrel of a winless season. They’ll host a Steelers team missing multiple starting WRs, giving them a good shot at another victory.
New Orleans Saints (1-4)
Week 5 Result: Saints 13 - Vikings 23
Week 6 Opponent: New York Giants
After the Falcons throttled them in Week 4, the Vikings buried the Saints in Week 5. Tyler Shough failed to throw for 100 yards and threw two interceptions, bringing his turnover total to 10. Shough is currently the most pressured QB through all games played. The Saints defense breathed life into a middling Vikings offense, which scored two touchdowns after going weeks without one.
This was supposed to be the season Kellen Moore’s team put it all together, but they were more discombobulated than ever. They’ll travel to the Big Apple to take on a Giants team that is coming off a tie after a vintage Dan Quinn moment.
Carolina Panthers (2-2)
Week 5 Result: Bye Week
Week 6 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
The Panthers couldn’t have asked for a better result during their bye week. Their two biggest threats in the division (Atlanta and New Orleans) both failed to win, and Carolina now sits alone in first place. Sometimes an early bye works against a team, but this one came at a good time for the hobbled Panthers.
They’re hoping to get a few players back heading into Week 6. The Panthers will travel to Philadelphia to take on an Eagles team suffering from a 3-game losing streak.
Atlanta Falcons (2-3)
Week 5 Result: Falcons 23 - Ravens 30
Week 6 Opponent: Chicago Bears
The Falcons blew it in primetime. The team couldn’t stop the Ravens resurgence and faded from the fourth quarter into overtime. Multiple individual plays stand out, but there is plenty of blame to go around. Tommy Rees and Jeff Ulbrich both failed to adjust as the game went on. Michael Penix Jr. needs to hit his layup passes at a higher rate; doing so would’ve helped seal the game.
It sounds like Penix rib injury isn’t too serious, which is good news because the Falcons will host the Bears. It also sounds like this will be Caleb Williams’ return game, but the Bears secondary can be picked apart.
Three teams are sitting below .500, and the division leader is sitting right at it. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but the division is limping out of the gate.