By Kate Arhar // @ClvlndK8
The Atlanta Falcons blew a 19 point lead in their loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The New Orleans Saints blew a 17 point lead in their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. And the Carolina Panthers getting blown out by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rounds out a pretty weak Week 2 as the NFC South goes 1-3.
The Panthers and Falcons head into Week 3 at 0-2. The Saints and Buccaneers are both 1-1. I know it’s early in the season, but hopefully, this week will mark some improvement for all of these teams.
Let’s take a look at their match-ups!
Falcons vs Bears Sunday at 1:00 pm EST
The 2-0 Bears are going to give Atlanta more than they can handle, I fear. However, there is the possibility that the internal struggles regarding wide receiver Allen Robinson and his contract – or lack of an extension – may hamper their efforts.
Oh, who am I kidding? There’s something weird going on in the A-T-L and it’s not the shadow of Tom Brady joining the division.
My prediction: Falcons 28 – Bears 31
What to know about the upcoming matchup with the Bears?
If the Falcons can stop the run, they’ll be in good shape. Chicago ranks No. 9 in rushing offense
Matt Ryan & Atlanta’s passing offense should have a big day. The Bears rank No. 29 against the passhttps://t.co/WUPH4DZw4O pic.twitter.com/vlODduiSxu
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) September 22, 2020
Panthers vs Chargers Sunday at 4:05 pm EST
QB Teddy Bridgewater and WR Robby Anderson could be magic this week. The Chargers are 1-1 but that single win was in a struggle against the Bengals. There’s just something off about the Chargers to me right now.
That being said, losing running back Christian McCaffrey for an undisclosed number of weeks is devastating. Mike Davis and Trenton Cannon have their work cut out for them. This is absolutely one of those games where we will find out if McCaffrey is really that good, or if the Panthers offensive line has been underrated. If they can put up 100+ rushing yards, well that just might show us all what the answer is.
My prediction: Panthers 24 – Chargers 18
Panthers’ RB Christian McCaffrey is expected to be sidelined “multiple weeks” with the ankle injury he suffered Sunday, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2020
Buccaneers vs Broncos Sunday at 4:25 pm EST
QB Tom Brady looked exactly like we expected this past week. Getting off to a 21-0 lead, he made everything look easy. This week, he should have another great stats day against the Denver Broncos.
With QB Drew Lock out 3-5 weeks, and the Broncos signing Blake Bortles to a contract – yes, you read that right – I expect the Bucs defense to just have a field day. The Broncos don’t have much of a run defense and Bucs RB Leonard Fournette went over 100 yards this week and may just be back in top form.
My prediction: Buccaneers 42 – Broncos 21
What a moment. Back breaker by Leonard Fournette. Soon to be starting RB of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/OqECS7k5bQ
— JC Cornell (@CornellNFL) September 20, 2020
Saints vs Packers Sunday at 8:20 pm EST
The Packers are 2-0 and look great, all things considered. The Saints look a bit rusty and, at points during their matchup against the Raiders, really confused. Hopefully, head coach Sean Payton can get this group together and figure it out. I know we didn’t have a preseason, but there are a lot of veteran leaders on this team and they should be playing better.
They’re going to have a tough battle facing Green Bay. RB Alvin Kamara leads the team in both rushing and receiving yards. While that may work against a weak defense, if the Packers focus and take him away, hopefully, guys like WR Tre’Quan Smith and RB Latavius Murray can step up.
My prediction: Saints 27 – Packers 24 (in OVERTIME!)
Tre’Quan Smith did a lot of really good things for the #Saints on Monday, but this the biggest “if that was Michael Thomas” moment, IMO.
Brees buys time & launches a ball TS really needs to plant and drive on in traffic. Takes a big hit and can’t hold on. Saints settle for a FG. pic.twitter.com/DPNGmVPrcP
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) September 23, 2020
Talk NFC South with Kate on Twitter // @ClvlndK8
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