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It’s still early in the season, but the NFC South (not the Carolina Panthers) is far from its usual moribund division.
All eyes are on the sector Thursday night as the division-leading 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the 2-2 Atlanta Falcons in Dixie.
Bucks head coach Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Defending champion Tampa Bay bounced back from a crushing home loss to the Denver Broncos to win against the Philadelphia Eagles.33-16, this past Sunday. In this playoff rematch, the Bucks jumped out to an early 24-0 lead, but the shoddy and sloppy Eagles never threatened again.
Atlanta started the season with one loss, one win, and one loss, one win. Despite not being able to score a touchdown on offense. Atlanta finished with a 26-24 victory over the visiting New Orleans Saints last Sunday. Younghoe Koo made a career-best 58-yard field goal with just seconds remaining..
All eyes will be on quarterbacks like the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield (984 passing yards, eight touchdowns). [second to Vikings’ Sam Darnold]2 interceptions) will go against Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins (864 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 4 interceptions). Cousins didn’t have the same success last time out (Washington, Minnesota) while coming back from a torn Achilles tendon.
According to , Atlanta is the 2 1/2 point favorite to win (42 1/2 points total). NFL odds (In response, the teams split the final 10).
It was the 62nd time the rivals met since 1977, with the Bucks leading 31-30.
The next Brady?
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and Tom Brady – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Admittedly, that headline is misleading. Baker Mayfield has won far fewer Super Bowls than Tom Brady.
The last of Brady’s seven titles came with Tampa Bay, a feat Mayfield hopes to repeat. The Bucks, who lead the division with a 3-1 record, are aiming to advance higher than last season’s second round in the postseason.
Wideout Mike Evans became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer (Adios, Martin Gramatica), and Mayfield threw two touchdown passes (plus one ground touchdown) against the Eagles. Defensively, Tampa Bay sacked Jalen Hurts six times.
ATL’s Allgaier
Bijan Robinson is set to be the Atlanta Falcons’ franchise running back, but it’s Tyler Allgaier who has shown more ability over the past two weeks.
In last Sunday’s last-second win over the New Orleans Saints, Allgayer gained 60 yards on eight carries.. Robinson finished with seven rushes (28 yards). Remember, Allgayer was a 1,000-yard rookie rusher in 2022.
Robinson has 16 receptions and plays a key role in Atlanta’s passing game, but he hasn’t been able to negate big ground gains. In Week 3 against Kansas City, Robinson had just 31 yards (16 carries).
Allgaier needs more touches for the Falcons to be effective.
points are given priority
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Photo Credit: USA Today
The two favorites to win the NFC South are projected at 8-5 (+160, Atlanta) and 19-10 (+190, Tampa Bay). NFL division odds.
Both of these defenses are achievable, especially in the ground game.
The defense is giving up 131 1/2 (Tampa Bay) and 145 1/2 (Atlanta) rushing yards per game, so it’s no wonder both teams are looking to take advantage of that.
Additionally, the points for both teams are somewhat diverse, with around 20 points per game this season.
If Baker Mayfield can get into the pocket, he’ll find a friend on the other side of the field. The offense is giving him time. Rookie back Bucky Irving scored his first professional touchdown last Sunday against Philadelphia. He’s averaging nearly six yards per carry in three games.
Conversely, Tyler Allgaier and Bijan Robinson can excel against the Bucs’ defense against the run.
It’s not the Buccaneers or the Falcons that have our backing. Rather, we are looking at the sum. Go here.
