NFL Mid-Season Review: NFC South

We are halfway through the 2017 NFL Season and nothing has gone as expected. Just the way we like it. The only thing predictable about the NFL is how unpredictable it is. So let’s take a look at where it all went wrong for the teams with our NFC South review for the halfway point of the season.

New Orleans Saints (6-2)

The New Orleans Saints have been using a combination of a strong running game, fundamentally sound defense and smart football decisions to go on a six game winning streak. It is almost like Sean Payton said to himself, “let’s do the opposite of what we have been doing for the past five years.”

Carolina Panthers (6-3)

Last week, the Carolina Panthers traded Kelvin Benjamin because they wanted to be faster on offense. With Mike Shula still running the Panthers offense, I’m not sure they can offend their fanbase any faster. I do admire the fact that they are still willing to try.

Atlanta Falcons (4-4)

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian, took over an offensive unit that had the number one rushing offense in football last season and the NFL MVP. This year, they don’t run the football and Matt Ryan’s value is greatly diminished. Steve Sarkisian might not drink anymore, but fans of the Atlanta Falcons certainly do.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6)

What happens when you take number one overall selection Jameis Winston, Pro-Bowl running back Doug Martin, Pro-Bowl wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson and put them all in one high-powered offense? You get either the 21^st best scoring offense in football or the 11^th worst scoring offense in football, depending on whether you are an optimist or a pessimist. If you are a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you are probably a pessimist.