NFC South Week 3 predictions: Division's hot streak comes to an end

A season after no team in the NFC South finished with a winning record, it is one of two divisions to have three 2-0 teams entering Week 3. This weekend, however, might be a return to normalcy.

Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at Detroit Lions (1-1): Atlanta goes on the road for the first time this season while Detroit hosts its second consecutive game. The Falcons have lived on the edge, being outscored 34-22 through the first three quarters of games and relying on sensational rookie running back Bijan Robinson to keep the team competitive. Per rbsdm.com, the Falcons are first in expected points added per rush during the first three quarters (0.146), while they rank 25th in dropbacks (-0.239).

Quarterback Desmond Ridder has played his best in the fourth, with the Falcons second in expected points added (EPA) per dropback (0.702) and No. 1 in dropback success rate (71.4 percent). Atlanta's defense gets a significant test against one of the league's best offenses and will have to keep quarterback Jared Goff and the strong Lions passing attack in check to have a chance late in this one. The Falcons may stage a rally, but Detroit will build enough cushion to withstand it.

PREDICTION: Lions, 28-20

New Orleans Saints (2-0) at Green Bay Packers (1-1): New Orleans, too, gets its biggest test in Week 3. Packers quarterback Jordan Love has looked impressive so far, tying for the lead league with six touchdowns and leading quarterbacks in EPA per dropback (0.478). However, no secondary is playing better than New Orleans' through two weeks, and the unit should limit Love's production.

The problem for New Orleans is its offense, which has looked similar to past seasons despite the team signing quarterback Derek Carr during the offseason. While he leads the league in air yards to the sticks, which NFL Next Gen Stats defines as "the number of air yards ahead or behind the first down marker on all attempts for a passer," the offense only averages 18 points per game. Carr has outstanding weapons at wide receiver, including Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Michael Thomas, but his issue will be having time to get them the ball. Green Bay has pressured quarterbacks on 52.9 percent of their dropbacks this season and could make life miserable for Carr. 

PREDICTION: Packers, 17-12

Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1): Rookie quarterback Bryce Young's inhospitable welcome to the NFL gets more hostile in Week 3, if he suits up, as the Panthers travel to Seattle. Young missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle issue, so he's no guarantee to play. Veteran Andy Dalton would start if Young is unable to go.

Top Carolina corner Jaycee Horn is on injured reserve with a hamstring issue, and running back Miles Sanders is questionable thanks to a pectoral injury. Saints quarterback Carr exploited Carolina's secondary without Horn on a couple of huge throws late in Monday night's 20-17 loss for Carolina, which Geno Smith should be able to duplicate with the Seahawks' outstanding wide receivers. On offense, the Panthers already have a dearth of top-end talent at the skill positions, and losing Sanders will make Young's (or Dalton's) job on Sunday even harder.

PREDICTION: Seahawks, 31-17

Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0): Through two games, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield is undergoing a similar resurgence with offensive coordinator Dave Canales as Seahawks QB Smith had last year when Canales was his coordinator. Mayfield is completing 69.1 percent of his attempts, the highest mark of his career, and has yet to turn the ball over. Monday night's game versus the Eagles will determine whether his revival is legitimate or if the Bucs were only beating up scrubs.

Philadelphia's defense has already forced six turnover, and its defensive line that rotates players including tackles Jalen Carter, Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis and edge rushers Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat will be a major headache for Tampa's offensive line. Bucs center Robert Hainsey has allowed seven pressures in two games and is the weak link in passing sets. Mayfield will have a long night if he doesn't have a pocket to throw from, although Tampa's defense should keep the game competitive.

PREDICTION: Eagles, 21-13