NFC South Preseason news

Article by Matt King

 

The Saints might be without RB CJ Spiller until the regular season after he underwent minor surgery on his knee, although it is reported via ESPN to be a clean-up, which should see him ready for week one. Also this week, the Saints kicked off the pre-season campaign with a high scoring 27-30 loss. New Orleans had been playing catch up for most of the game, after allowing 2 first period touchdown drives, but took the lead with 1:56 of the game left, and on another day might have won the game but ceded their advantage with 0:02 left as Bryn Renner ran home a 1 yard carry for the Ravens W. There were encouraging signs for the Saints in this one, as they were down 17-0 early in the second period, they fought back to lead with less than 2 minutes to go in a game which they might have imploded in last season, and Drew Brees didn’t get into this game, their lead passer was Ryan Griffin with 10/17 for 112 yards 1 TD and 0 INTs. The receptions were spread out pretty evenly between all receivers, and although Brandin Crooks only caught 1, he made it count for a 21 yard score.
Next up for the Saints is a home game against the Champions, New England Patriots.

 

An early practice “scuffle” didn’t derail the Panthers plans and they ran out 25-24 winners over Buffalo on the road. Cam Newton went 5/10 with 1 TD for 83 yards. The Panthers fielded 3 QBs, each registering a TD. Artis Payne carried the ball most, with 8 rushes for 24 yards. Kelvin Benjamin caught 3 passes for 36 yards with 1 TD and Rookie Rakim Cox registered a sack from 2 tackles. The whole team was performing and by the time the regular season opens, the Panthers look like they could be the team to beat again in this division.

The Buccs are high in confidence with rookie QB Jameis Winston this week telling the media that “This is the first time I’m able to play QB year round, and I’m so excited. I don’t think about hitting a [rookie] wall, I’ve never had the opportunity to just hone in on footwork, arm speed and everything, it’s been exciting”. 

Similarly, 4^th year player Doug Martin believes he can contribute to the season and carry the Buccs. Martin started his career promisingly enough with 1454 yards, but combined for just 950 the next two [combined] while struggling with injuries, but Lovie Smith commented that “it’s an important year for our football team, and Doug’s our starting back, we talk about commitment to the run, and he’s done it before, there’s no reason he can’t do it again” while the player himself said via ESPN“ The sky’s the limit. We have a lot of potential going into this year, we have a lot of weapons, and lots of guys with fire in them. I just can’t wait to get out there”. The Buccs didn’t have the best of starts in their first pre-season game, losing it 16-26 on the road to the Minnesota Vikings. Winston finished the game 9/19 for 131 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT. Henry Melton registered a sack, but there was nothing much to shout about for the Buccs in this game and they will look to bounce back next week as they host the Bengals in Practice week 2.

The Falcons had a quiet preparation for their first game of the preseason in which they won 31-24 behind a solid effort from back up QB T.J Yates 9/15 for 105 yards effort, although starting QB Matt Ryan went 6/6 for 86 yards with a TD on his only drive. WR Julio Jones caught 4 passes for 61 yards scoring a touchdown. The Falcons were on the short side of ball possession with 26:58 of it, but were able to do much more with it which ultimately proved to be enough to get the W.