Similar to all of us anticipated, Panthers-Falcons can be for NFC South’s prime spot

After this weekend, both the Carolina Panthers or the Atlanta Falcons can be a first-place group.

The winner of the Carolina Panthers (2-5) on the Atlanta Falcons (3-4) can be sitting atop the NFC South standings all by themselves on the finish of Week 8.

This comes as fairly a shock. Though we had a sneaking the NFC South may be in for a foul time this yr, who noticed this as a chance heading into November? Whereas some folks had been excessive on the Panthers initially of the yr, they had been the primary group to fireside their head coach this season. As for the Falcons, this was a group many individuals thought can be up for the No. 1 total decide.

Sure, we’re about to dwell in a world the place both the 3-5 Panthers or the 4-4 Falcons can be in sole possession of first place heading into Halloween. Spooky, I do know, however that is about to be our actuality.

I-85 has by no means felt extra alive for Carolina Panthers (2-5) at Atlanta Falcons (3-4)

I did the mathematics so that you wouldn’t should on the best of Fridays. You possibly can thank me later, or not. Regardless, right here is how certainly one of these two NFC South rivals would discover themselves in first place after Sunday’s festivities. Put together yourselves for the easy indisputable fact that the New Orleans Saints (2-5) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) have been ghastly dangerous for his or her lofty requirements this season…

A win for the Soiled Birds would get them to 4-4, a mark of .500 many individuals by no means thought was doable. Atlanta is carrying an absurd quantity of lifeless cap. Regardless of having who seems to be the most effective head coach in division in Arthur Smith, his cash-strapped group has a finite ceiling. His boys are taking part in onerous, however the clock might strike midnight on this cute Cinderella story within the Soiled South.

Whereas the Falcons having no less than yet another win than all of their division rivals would make this the only final result, a win for the Panthers thrusts them atop the NFC South standings at 3-5. It is because all three of Carolina’s wins would have come over its division rivals. The Panthers beat the Saints at house on Sept. 25 and tasted candy victory over the Buccaneers at house final week.

With this recreation being in Atlanta, all of the stress is on the Falcons to win it. They could have three victories on the yr, however all of them have come from outdoors the division (Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers). Take into account that two of their losses on the yr have come in-division to the Saints at house in a complete meltdown and at Tampa Bay in whole controversy.

This is a chance for Smith and the boys to point out us what they’re actually manufactured from. To not say the Panthers are fully devoid of expertise, however Steve Wilks is the interim coach and P.J. Walker is the beginning quarterback. Atlanta doesn’t have a powerful home-field benefit. Plus, something and every little thing can occur in a division rivalry recreation. Regardless, the Falcons should win this one.

Are we about to dwell in a world the place the 3-5 Panthers result in the benching of Marcus Mariota?