The NFC South is the most competitive division in the NFC

The NFC South is starting to look like the most interesting division in the NFL, although we’re just two weeks into the season. The division now has three undefeated teams, and one 0-2 team—the New Orleans Saints, of course. Only one other division has three undefeated teams, too: the NFC West.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to postpone their week one game due to hurricane Irma, making yesterday’s matchup with the Chicago Bears their first of the season. They did not disappoint: the defense destroyed the Bears, stifling their running game and forcing three turnovers (with a fourth on special teams). The offense was a little less explosive, but certainly productive and—importantly—secure with the football.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers struggled but managed to get a win anyway for the second week in a row. A 9-3 score against the Tyrod Taylor-led Buffalo Bills isn’t exactly inspiring, though I guess their defense is playing well. To make matters worse for them, their offensive line is a complete disaster and they lost Greg Olsen for what’s likely to be a long, long time.

he Panthers are winning, but not easily--and that means they’re the third-best team in the NFC South right now.

That’s because the Atlanta Falcons did beat the Green Bay Packers—likely to be one of the best teams in the NFC once again—fairly comfortably on Sunday Night Football, with a surprisingly big role for wide receier Mohamed Sanu, and an explosive defense. That’s a remarkable contrast with last week, when they should have lost to the Chicago Bears, but consecutive endzone drops on Mike Glennon’s receivers gifted them the win.

Last week’s near-loss is especially striking because it came against the same team that got absolutely crushed by the Bucs this week. Then again, I doubt the Bucs are up to the task of beating the Green Bay Packers as easily as the Atlanta Falcons did last night—so where does that leave everyone?

After two weeks of NFC South games we can at least say that this division looks to be very competitive, and that the Bucs will have to fight hard to get a playoff spot—but judging by the Bucs’ first game, that’s not going to be a problem for them.