Sunday was an unexpected eye-opener for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans. Mayfield coughed up three fumbles, one for a touchdown, while Bucky Irving contributed one of his own. The Bucs did enough to beat the Bengals, but they did even more to beat themselves.
It was a chance for the Buccaneers to prove that last year was a fluke. An 8-9 misstep for a team that has the talent to win their division, if not advance in the postseason. The team may not have played well, but at some point you have to make the argument for coaching.
The Bucs, however, got good news when week one of the season concluded in their division. None of the other NFL South teams won. It's a fresh slate heading into week two.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers end Week 1 in a four-team NFC South tie
Carolina Panthers 37 - Chicago Bears 59
It's hard to believe that at one point this game was quite close. The Panthers put up a helluva fight against a tough Bears team, but by the time the 4th quarter rolled around, it was over. The Panthers gave up at least 14 points in each of the four quarters and made Caleb Williams look like a HOF QB. Even Bryce Young's three passing touchdowns and one rushing score couldn't elevate the team.
New Orleans Saints 30 - Detroit Lions 31
It was a rough start for the Saints, who managed to score no points in the first half, but their defense held a very good Lions offense to just 7 points in the first two quarters. It all started to break open in the second half. Both teams scored 14 in the third quarter, and the Saints managed to claw their way back from a 21-0 hole to tie the game late and send it to overtime.
In the extra period, the Lions scored early, but the Saints drove the field on their first and only possession and got it into the end zone. With just over 1:00 minute left in overtime, the Saints opted to go for two and the victory. They failed.
Atlanta Falcons 13 - Pittsburgh Steelers 20
The box score gives the impression that this was a close game, but let's be real for a moment. The Falcons played with Cooper Rush after Tua Tagovailoa hurt his back last week. The Steelers aren't exactly at the same level as the Bears and Lions either. A seven-point game seems close, but it never really was. The Falcons are going to be a problem this year, but only to themselves.
The NFC South standings
- Panthers 0-1
- Saints 0-1
- Buccaneers 0-1
- Falcons 0-1
Despite all of the teams losing to open the season, the Panthers and Saints showed far more fight in their games against likely playoff teams. The Bengals have good players, but they are rather inconsistent, and the Buccaneers should have beaten them but didn't.
Next week
Tampa Bay - Home against the Browns. If this isn't a win, the Buccaneers should write off their season.
New Orleans - Tough road game against the AFC North division leading Ravens
Atlanta and Carolina - The first division game of the year will take place in Atlanta. It should be a rather easy win for the Panthers. Next week, the Buccaneers and Panthers should leave week two at .500, while the Falcons and Saints drop another game.
Add us as a preferred source on Google