NFC South review: Saints and Bucs advance, Falcons and Panthers searching
This week the Carolina Panthers got their first Sunday off since the beginning of the 2020 season. It ended with a 5-11 record, good for a third-place finish in the NFC South. Two of their division rivals made the postseason though and both have advanced to the next round.
Here’s what went down around the division during Wild Card week.
Buccaneers (11-5) beat Washington (7-9), 31-23
Former Carolina quarterback Taylor Heinicke put in quite an effort on Saturday night, but it wasn’t enough to topple Tom Brady and the Bucs.
Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown all scored touchdowns. Mike Evans continues to be Tampa’s No. 1 guy offensively, though. He posted a game-high 119 yards on six catches.
Brady with a perfect pass to Mike Evans.
Too easy.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/8ZvlLmOyLO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 10, 2021
Aside from Heinicke’s production on the ground (46 yards, one score on six carries) Tampa clamped down Washington’s rushing attack, holding them to just 3.7 yards per carry.
That said, this was another concerning defensive performance from a unit that’s regressed a lot since early in the season. Getting Devin White back will help. There’s a lot of work to do, though.
Next, the Bucs face the Saints on Sunday evening.
Saints (12-4) beat Bears (8-8), 21-9
This one could have gone much different if not for an all-time cringe drop from Bears wideout Javon Wims on this gorgeous misdirection play.
Javon Wims, yikes.pic.twitter.com/fL3wFAAKsz
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 10, 2021
Absolutely excruciating.
Mitchell Trubisky finished with just 199 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Drew Brees posted 265 passing yards and two scores for the Saints, who recovered well from that close call and never looked to be in danger again the rest of the game.
Alvin Kamara continues to carry their offense, totaling 99 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 attempts. Michael Thomas also returned to action, catching five passes for 73 yards and a score.
New Orleans’ defense didn’t get much pressure on Trubisky (one sack, three hits) but it didnt matter. They contained the run, limiting Chicago to just 2.5 yards per carry. They also covered well, effectively shutting down everyone but Allen Robinson, who only managed 55 yards on six catches.
Stopping Brady and the Bucs will be a far-greater challenge than the Bears. The Saints are healthy and peaking at the right time, though.
Falcons searching for new coach, GM
Atlanta is going through some turbulence in the wake of Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff’s firing in the middle of the season. Now, the organization is looking for a new head coach and general manager at the same time.
Right now, the rumored favorites are Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Saints executive Terry Fontenot.
Their other coach candidates include Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
Panthers losing coaches, looking for GM
It’s a similar story in Carolina, where they’re wrapping up their search for former general manager Marty Hurney’s replacement. The team has interviewed 15 candidates, with 13 of them still in the running. A decision is expected this week.
Head coach Matt Rhule isn’t going anywhere, but he has lost several assistants already, including QBs coach Jake Peetz.
