Week 11 Roundup (Part 2) - NFC South
Continuing with our roundup of the National Football League week 11, we look at the games played between teams from the National Football Conference South.
Note: New Orleans Saints (7-3, First in NFC South) had a bye-week and will continue their NFL campaign against New York Giants on Monday in the week 12 of the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons (6-4, Second in NFC South):
Atlanta Falcons put behind memories from their heartbreaking overtime loss to New Orleans Saints from the last week as they display a mature performance to emerge victorious against Tennessee Titans by 23-17.
Titans who entered the game with a massive 30-3 win over Carolina Panthers were frustratingly ineffective during the game with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck particularly out of touch. Kicker Matt Bryant’s three field goals and a
touchdown by Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner saw Falcons lead the game 23-3 in the third period.
Hasselbeck had to be taken off late in the third quarter owing to an elbow injury, and was replaced by rookie Jake Locker who immediately galvanised the Titans’ game-play and almost led a comeback. Falcons, however, held on to
win 23-17 and continue their chase for the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6, Third in NFC South):
Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the most difficult fixture for any team this season as they faced off against unbeaten Green Bay Packers in game week 11.
Bucs entered the game on a three-game losing streak and no one gave them any chance of putting up any kind of resistance to the Super Bowl XLV Champions.
Tampa Bay, however, surprised many as they put up a strong resistance to Packers. Quarterback Josh Freeman put in a great performance covering 342 yards and completing 28 of 38 attempted passes with two passing touchdowns.
Buccaneers were close to winning the game in the fourth quarter as a Josh Freeman pass found Dezmon Briscoe in the end-zone to leave Tampa Bay trailing Packers by just two points. Buccaneers then tried an on-field kick to get the
two points and tie the game. However, the move did not come through and Packers recovered possession with quarterback Aaron Rodgers sending a trademark 40-yard pass to Jordy Nelson to give Packers their 10th straight victory.
Tampa Bay will next face a relatively easier fixture against Tennessee Titans on Sunday and will hope to snap their four-game losing streak against an inconsistent Titans side.
Carolina Panthers (2-8, Fourth in NFC South):
Carolina Panthers were given their third straight defeat this weekend as they lost 49-35 to Detroit Lions following a heroic performance by Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Panthers are already struggling with an injured reserve list of 12 players and came into this encounter on the back of a 30-3 drubbing from Tennessee Titans. However, they gave Lions a tough time during the first half of the match
and were leading by 27-14.
Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton did not have a good day throwing four interceptions but got his side back on equal terms in the fourth quarter at 35-35. Stafford, however, had other ideas. He was at his finest in the second
half and created three passing touchdowns to lead a Lions comeback.
Panthers will face Indianapolis Colts on November 27th in game week 12 of the NFL.
That ends our round up of this week’s action from the National Football Conference. Visit this space next week for another quick review of all the action from the NFC.
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