1st Quarter Mark Grades: NFC South

Ah, we have reached the crown jewel of the South, the NFC South. Everyone before the season told me that this division might hold the team that could upset the West. This division is fighting for 3rd best of the NFC with the lowly East, while the North and West hold down the 1st and 2nd spots. Lets take a in-depth look at the 4 southern teams.

Tampa Bay Buccanneers: 1-3, Tied for 2nd
Grade: D

What I'm about to address is a two parter so check the next team to understand what I'm talking about. First, Tampa Bay is by far one of the worst teams in the league. They have no legit future QB, they might have to look to the kid in either Tallahassee or in Eugene, Oregon for the answer to that. The utter stomping they took on Thursday night against Atlanta proves it, and the fact that a team like Pittsburgh allowed them to come back and win a game doesn't help the situation, it just proves that Tampa actually has some guts and stands for something, which I personally can't figure out. Being last in rushing and passing on both sides isn't a good sign especially when they play playoff caliber teams needing wins later in the season. Hopefully Lovie Smith keeps his job, because no one knew going into the season they would be this bad.

Next 4 games: at New Orleans, vs Baltimore, BYE WEEK, vs Minnesota

Difficulty: 10/10

Atlanta Falcons: 2-2, Tied for 1st
Grade: C+

Now for the second part of what I was talking about in the Tampa Bay piece. Atlanta isn't as good as it thinks it is. They are last in both passing(30th) and rushing(28th) defense. This isn't good for the division they are in and sure they can hang the fact that defeated and held off the Saints and destroyed the Bucs. Ill address the Saints later but for the Buccaneers, like I said above, they are one of the worst teams in the league, so don't act like being them on Monday Night with the talent they have on the team was such a surprise. The next four games don't get any easier and if these last four serve any indication, any team with a high-powered offense and dangerous defense will be your ruin. Unfortunately for Atlanta, 3 of the next 4 have just that.

Next 4 games: at New York Giants, vs Chicago, at Baltimore, vs Detroit( UK Game)

Difficulty: 7.5/10

Carolina Panthers: 2-2, Tied for 1st
Grade: C-

Oh where do I begin when it comes to the Carolina Panthers? Do I begin with the fact that their star QB Cam Newton, missed damn near all of the preseason because of a bum leg? Or do I start with the fact that we need to put an APB for that offensive line? Or how about the fact that without the criminally charged Greg Hardy, that the defense has allowed 233 passing yards per game, and a whopping 140 rushing yards? No, I know exactly where to begin, and its at the front office. How do you allow the ENTIRE Receiving corps to be free agents, and only bring in Kelvin Benjamin from the draft with a bunch of no names via free agency and then commit a even bigger sin and release Steve Smith, the guy who could have mentored Benjamin? The ego of the front office is going to be the downfall of this team and when the team runs out of places for Cam to throw the ball, like seen in the past 4 games, Cam is going to get hit. Hard.

Next 4 games: vs Chicago, at Cincinnati, at Green Bay, vs Seattle

Difficulty: 8.5/10

New Orleans Saints: 1-3,Tied for 2nd
Grade: D-

First let me say for everyone that picked the Saints to not only win the division but to beat Seattle, do what Stephen A. Smith did and put a bag over your head. This team has no heart and I don't know what it is, nothing changed. Then again I think it might the loss of Darren Sproles. This happens to every team he has left and it seems to be the case with the Saints offensively. But defensively, thats a whole different issue. Im looking at their next couple of games and out of the 3 they play before the halfway mark, 2 of them have dangerous to at least scary offenses. Drew Brees and Sean Payton don't deserve to be on teams like this, but theme the breaks, and it looks the water is getting to high in the City of Bourbon.

Next 4 games: vs Tampa Bay, BYE WEEK, at Detroit, vs Green Bay

Difficulty: 9/10