It’s tempting to look ahead at the Nov. 2 game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints and call it the first truly meaningful NFC South game of the season.
It also could end up being inaccurate. There’s a chance the NFC South could be decided by then.
Look at what’s on the table between now and November. We’re about to find out if we’re watching a two-team race or one team lap the pack in a division where things usually go right down to the wire.
But this is shaping up to be a unique year in the NFC South. Barring near miracles by the Panthers and Buccaneers, you can go ahead and write them off now. John Fox’s team seems to be falling apart faster than you can say Bill Cowher, and Raheem Morris’ team never had a chance.
Now flip to the other end of the spectrum. You’ve got the Saints. They’re 4-0 heading into their bye weekend and they couldn’t be sitting any prettier. All those questions about their defense have been answered so thoroughly that the faithful in New Orleans are actually fretting about Drew Brees and the passing game after a couple of relatively quiet outings.
Relax, Brees and the passing game will be just fine.
The Saints can claim the early title as the NFC’s best team next week with a victory against the Giants, and they’ve got a trip to Miami after that. They’ve also got two games against Carolina and two against Tampa Bay. Throw in games with St. Louis and Washington and I’m going to go ahead and pencil the Saints in for double-digit wins.
Who’s going to catch them?
The only team with a shot is Atlanta and we really don’t know yet what the Falcons are all about. We’re about to find out, however. In the next three weeks, we’re going to find out if the Falcons were a one-year wonder or if they really have a shot at back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history and a chance to play with the Saints.
Coming off their bye, the Falcons are 2-1 and they head to San Francisco on Sunday. They host Chicago the following week and go to Dallas on Oct. 25.
They need to win at least two of those to even have a shot at staying close to the Saints...