NFL – NFC South Division review
NFL NFC South Division review
NFL NFC South Division review
After week 9 things are really even in the top seats of the NFC South with Atlanta taking the lead, but being followed pretty closely by New Orleans and Tampa Bay. Carolina has been nothing more than a spectator and only a miracle could change their situation.
The 11-5 in 2008 added to the 9-7 in 2009 gave the Atlanta Falcons their first back-to-back winning seasons in their history. Quarterback Matt Ryan played a great role keeping a 6-0 at home in 2009, while wide receiver Roddy White wrote a new page in the history of the franchise: with three consecutive 80+ reception and 1,100+ receiving yard seasons, he became the first player to register those numbers. These two players where also able to connect a 90-yard touchdown pass -in Week 5 against San Francisco- that became the third-longest in the Falcons history. Tight end Tony Gonzalez's 83 receptions with the Falcons also set a franchise record.
The Falcons are flying high in NFC South, product of 6 wins and only 2 loses in 2010 that grant them the first place of the Division, over the defending champions the New Orleans Saint. A season that didn't begin quite as expected with a 15-9 overtime loss versus Pittsburg was quickly overcomed with a 4 win strike that started on Week 2, including the 27-24 win in overtime at New Orleans. If they keep up this pace they will surely clinch their third consecutive back-to-back winning season, setting a new record in franchise history. They will be hosting the Baltimore Ravens on their next game, a team that is also flying high in its division with a 6-2 record.
What can be said about a dream-like season for the New Orleans Saints, other than it will live forever in the memory of the fans and will be part of the NFL glorious moments. The Saints began the season with an unstoppable pace, winning 13 in a row to set a franchise record for the best start, and ended it up as the Super Bowl champions for the first time in their history. They also tied the Oakland Raiders record from 1968 of scoring at least 45 points in the first 2 games of the season, and with 510 points they became ninth in NFL history for the most-points in a season.
Beating the defending champions is always an extra motivation for contenders, and the Saints are just experiencing it this 2010 season, where they have suffered three losses already, the same number as the total from last year. They haven't been able to win 3 games in a row so far this season, something that they will try to achieve against Seattle on Week 11, when they return from Bye Week. Ranked as the league's No. 9 passer, quarterback Drew Brees is after another 4000+ yard season with 2,587 already for 18 touchdowns. If he can hit last year's numbers again this season, the Saints should be able to make it to the playoffs.
2009 was a deceiving season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, finishing 3-13 in what was a year to forget. To add some makeup this result, we can bring up kicker Connor Barth's three 50+ yards field goals in one game, and tied the NFL record held by Morten Andersen, Neil Rackers and Kris Brown. Cornerback Aqib Talib's 3 interceptions in one game set a franchise record, as well as quarterback Josh Freeman's 1,857 passing yards for 10 touchdowns, the highest for a Buccaneer rookie. And tight end Kellen Winslow's 884 yards receiving and 77 receptions also set a team tight end record.
After Week 9 the Buccaneers are already better off than they were last season. Their 5 wins have surpassed the three from last year. Quarterback Josh Freeman is also performing at a high level in his second professional year throwing 146 of 246 for 1722 yards and 10 touchdowns. During his rookie season he suffered 18 interceptions to reach those same 10 touchdowns in 10 games, and this year he has only suffered 5 interceptions in 8 games. This is quite an improvement for the benefit of the team.
Tampa Bay will try to recover from the 27-21 loss against Atlanta during the weekend, on their home game on Sunday versus division rival Carolina, a team that doesn't live a good moment.
Wining 4 out of the 5 last games of the 2009 season made the Carolina Panthers finish with the same number of wins and losses, 8. That season they also witnessed the first running back duo of all times -Jonathan Stewart and De Angelo Williams- to rush for 1,100+ in one year -1,133 and 1,117 respectively. And individually, Williams added another record becoming the leading rusher in franchise history with 3,850 career rushing yards. While the wide receivers duo Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith reached 50 career touchdowns each in Week 16 against the New York Giants, becoming the only Panthers receivers that have accomplished this record.
Are the Panthers planning on waiting until the last weeks of the season to even things up like they did last year? Looking at how things are going in 2010, the outlook is not encouraging: 1-7. The win by 23-20 against the San Francisco 49ers on Week 7 serves for nothing more than not to be winless in the season, but it can't hide how deceiving the other results have been. One of the things to worry the most about is the poor offensive power, in a team that hasn't been able to cross the 20 point barrier.
Quarterback Matt Moore's contribution this season was far from last year's. As if this was not enough and a torn labrum in his shoulder will keep him out for the rest of the year. He played 6 games and threw 79 of 143 for 857 yards and 5 touchdowns, suffering 10 interceptions, while last season in 7 games he threw 85 of 138 for 1053 yards and 8 touchdowns, being intercepted only twice. He will be replaced by rookie Jimmy Clausen, who has been very ineffective with 51 of 109 for 501 yards, 1 touchdown and 4 interceptions. His challenge to guide the Panthers out from the last place of the NFC South begins on Sunday at Tampa Bay, when they face Division rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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