The way that the NFC South (sans Carolina Panthers ) came out in week two, the pressure piles on the Atlanta Falcons to live up to preseason expectations. The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have represented the division in thoroughly impressive fashion.
Bucs Defense Shuts Door on Goff
The Buccaneers outlasted the Detroit Lions 20-16 as the Lions were unable to reach the end zone on the final four drives as they ended in a punt, an interception and two turnovers on downs. Lions quarterback Jared Goff ended the game with 307 yards, but did not have any touchdowns and threw two crucial interceptions. Goff earned a -.23 EPA/play and a total EPA of -13.2, almost two touchdowns, lost by his play. This Tampa Bay defense was suffocating. They helped make up for a subpar day for the Tampa offense that still got the signature play from their quarterback Baker Mayfield to win the game.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin was a bright spot hauling in seven of his eight targets for 117 yards and the lone passing touchdown.
Carr is Running at Peak Performance
The Saints, what more is there to be said about the Saints? They came out in week one and proceeded to embarrass the Panthers more than David Tepper does with a 47-10 thrashing in week one. It was an extraordinary showing, but it’s also the Panthers, for the world to believe, they needed more than that. It’s getting very close to believing time.
New Orleans stomped the Dallas Cowboys to the tune of 41-19 and it really didn’t feel that close by the end of it. The Derek Carr - Rashid Shaheed connection is alive and well as they connected on yet another 60+ yard touchdown this week. The Klint Kubiak offense seems to have woken up something in Alvin Kamara as he goes for a cool 115 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while adding 65 yards and another touchdown through the air. Carr was the face of efficiency, going 11-for-16 for 243 yards and two touchdowns with one interception from Donovan Wilson when the game was fully out of reach. Carr’s performance earned him a .78 EPA/play, basically every four plays Carr was on the field equated to more than a field goal. It was a good day for the black and gold.
Pressure Makes Diamonds…or Roadkill
Not as good of a day for the black and red. After blowing a prime opportunity to get the season started on a high note against the Pittsburgh Steelers , the road to the NFC South crown gets no easier for the Falcons. Atlanta gets the new-look Philadelphia Eagles offense that is fully equipped to make life Hell for the Falcons defense.
Well, not fully equipped, Pro-Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown was ruled out with hamstring issues, which gives Atlanta a bit of relief as they continue to find their identity on both sides of the football. The offense has a chance to utilize their run game, led by potential superstar running back Bijan Robinson against an aggressive Eagles front.
The rest of the division (sans Carolina) has come out the gate firing with 2-0 records and impressive performances from one or maybe even both units to show for it. The pressure is fully on the Falcons in primetime. With Kirk Cousins . Who is historically ineffective in primetime (3-9 on Monday Night Football).
It’s time for Atlanta to come out and prove why they were so highly touted this preseason in front of the entire football world…or die trying.
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