Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

The Athletic Power Rankings - NFC South

Zod

By Zod,
in Carolina Panthers

 Share

Recommended Posts

Zod Grand Master

Zod

Posted
Posted

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0)

Previous rank: 2

Week 1 result: Beat the Cowboys, 31-29

Overreaction: That pass defense, so good down the stretch on the way to the Super Bowl, let Dak Prescott throw for 403 yards on (checks notes) one million screen passes. Four turnovers by the offense is one more than they had in any game last year, and if it weren’t for missed kicks and terrible red-zone efficiency, the Cowboys might have pulled off a huge upset. — Auman

Reality check: We saw lapses from the Bucs’ secondary at times last year, too, and they figured it out. Losing Sean Murphy-Bunting is a setback, but for now, I have faith in that group, especially when facing less-dangerous passing offenses than it saw in Week 1. — Jones

 

5. (tie) New Orleans Saints (1-0)

Previous rank: 17

Week 1 result: Beat the Packers, 38-3 (in Jacksonville)

Overreaction: Drew who? Jameis Winston had five touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first Saints start. In 70 starts with the Bucs, he had one game with more than four TDs and no picks. But if the Saints can beat Green Bay by 35 without Michael Thomas and David Onyemata and Wil Lutz and such, maybe they can challenge the Bucs for another NFC South title after all. — Auman

Reality check: Fair reaction! The Saints were one of the biggest surprises of Week 1, and that just makes the NFC South all the more interesting. — Jones

 

23. Carolina Panthers (1-0)

Previous rank: 24

Week 1 result: Beat the Jets, 19-14

Overreaction: Sam Darnold! Robby Anderson! Against the Jets, no less. It’s only the sixth time in his 39 career games Darnold has accounted for multiple touchdowns without any interceptions. The defense took a shutout late into the third quarter, so maybe things are on the rise in Matt Rhule’s second season with Carolina. Perhaps they catch the Saints overconfident? — Auman

Reality check: Darnold gets somewhat lucky in that he’ll face a Saints team without Marshon Lattimore. But I don’t think his streak of games without a turnover lasts long. — Jones

 

29. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)

Previous rank: 26

Week 1 result: Lost to the Eagles, 32-6

Overreaction: Ouch. People thought Philadelphia was a bottom-five team, and it dominated Atlanta. The Falcons totaled 77 net yards on their final nine drives after peaking with two field goals to open the game. Can they miss Julio Jones that much? Can Mike Davis be a starting-caliber running back? Are they going to be picking in the top five again next spring? At least Kyle Pitts had four catches for 31 yards. Sigh. — Auman

Reality check: Somehow, the Falcons’ offense was even worse on a second viewing than it was live. Just really rough all around. Sorry, Atlanta. — Jones

  • Beer 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Soul Rebel
      Recommended free agent targets from roppster report

      By Soul Rebel · Posted

      I want the following: LB - Devin Lloyd (our big money splash) I'm also interested in Nakobe Dean if we go the cheaper route. His size is a concern beside Wallace, but Dean is a Dan Morgan type of alpha leader of the defense. He's often called the heart of the Philly defense and would absolutely bring a swagger and be our field general on defense. We need this so badly and I'd almost rather go with him because Wallace is no guarantee to ever hit his potential, so maybe we go with Dean and find a Wallace replacement in on day 2. EDGE - Boye Mafe (SEA) I think he's a great blend of pass rush prowess, age and experience. We have our potential youngsters in Scourton and Umanmielen, let's add a vet from a successful franchise to bring some heat. Bye bye Wonnum....bye bye Jones. We roll with Mafe-Scourton-Umanmielen TE - Cade Otton (TB) Again, we have youth in this position w/ Sanders and Evans. Sanders is tracking similarly to Ian Thomas (age/stats) and wonder if he will ever be the TE we thought we stole in the 4th round. Evans looks legit, but more of a balanced/blocker. Sign Otton, who Dave is familiar with and save some money by cutting Tremble. Also allows us to roll Otton-Sanders-Evans in 13 personnel WR - Wan'dale Robinson or Rashid Shaheed I wonder if either of these will be priced out of our range based on age and what they bring. We do already have a 5'8" WR with Horn, Jr. so I'd see the argument against Robinson. However, the latter is still only 25 and just hit a 1k yard receiving season with suspect QB play in NY and an elite talent in Nabers on the roster. SEA gave up two '26 draft picks for Shaheed and he has stepped in nicely for the 'Hawks...doubt they let him walk. I also saw Doubs on the FA list and wonder if he'd be what we need. We need a separator that can be a deep threat to keep defenses honest. TMac/Coker are the bigger receivers, but not necesarily guys that scare a defense....would Doubs be that guy? SAF I'd like an upgrade here and wonder if we wait out the FA period until the latter stages if someone like Ar'Darious Washington or Jaylinn Hawkins lingers and there's a discount later in the game. Nick Scott can F off and I hope he never suits up for us again.   
    • strato
      Recommended free agent targets from roppster report

      By strato · Posted

      I just can’t see Morgan as being under the threat of unemployment at any time this upcoming season.  As little as ‘winning’ the division and making the playoffs impressed me, I think to Tepper it was like nectar of the Gods. A milestone for him. And the team did play well in the Wild Card. That has to buy him 2027. I would think. Unless we start 0-8 or something. Which I don’t believe will happen. 
    • Jay Roosevelt
      Recommended free agent targets from roppster report

      By Jay Roosevelt · Posted

      I'm not arguing that Linderbaum isn't a better player than Mays, just that the difference isn't as much as people might think. At least not compared to the difference in cost between the two players will be. In any event, I don't expect the Ravens to let him get to the open market.
×
×
  • Create New...