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It’s common knowledge in sports that if you take care of your own business, you don’t have to worry about anybody else as far as the standings are concerned.
While this is entirely true, getting some help along the way is never a bad thing. This column will be completely dedicated to the results of the other three NFC South teams throughout the season; hopefully we’ll be able to bask in their failures together.
This article series’ sole purpose will be to take a look at the weekly performances of the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers and to look at how the NFC South is shaping up week in and week out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Carolina Panthers 17
Tom Brady registered his first career win with a team other than the New England Patriots. Even coming into this game without star wide receiver Chris Godwin, the Bucs were heavy favorites against a lowly Panthers team that nobody expects to be very good this year.
This game was pretty much over at halftime. A Panthers interception, fumble, and turnover on downs were crucial mistakes that the Bucs took full advantage of — scoring a touchdown directly after each turnover and taking a 21-0 lead into the half.
Two Christian McCaffrey touchdowns on back to back drives in the third quarter pulled Carolina back to within one possession, but they couldn’t muster enough firepower to ever draw any closer. A greater concern for the Panthers is the health of McCaffrey, who left the game with an ankle injury.
Brady wasn’t spectacular, with 217 passing yards along with a touchdown and an interception, but he did enough. Leonard Fournette showed out with 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans had 104 receiving yards and a score.
Teddy Bridgewater had 367 passing yards but committed three turnovers (two interceptions and a lost fumble). McCaffrey had 88 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. D.J. Moore was the leading receiver with 120 yards.
NFC South Standings after Week 2
1. New Orleans Saints (1-0 overall record; 1-0 division record) - Next at Raiders (MNF)*
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1 overall record; 0-1 division record) - Next at Denver
3. Atlanta Falcons (0-2 overall record; 0-0 division record) - Next vs. Chicago
4. Carolina Panthers (0-2 overall record; 0-1 division record) - Next at Chargers
*Saints play on Monday Night Football this week.