Falcons Eye NFC South Rebirth Amidst Rivals' QB Shakeups
The Atlanta Falcons are seeing a potential opportunity to seize control of the NFC South, with their rivals making unexpected quarterback changes that could disrupt their seasons. Despite their own struggles, including a disappointing 34–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Falcons are within striking distance of the division lead, thanks to puzzling moves by their competitors.
The New Orleans Saints recently made a surprising switch, benching starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in favor of Tyler Shough. While Rattler had been performing decently, this sudden change has raised questions about the Saints' offensive direction.
“Any time there’s a shakeup like that, it affects the rhythm of the team,” said Falcons quarterback Jaxson Dart. “We know how crucial consistency is at the quarterback position, and it will be interesting to see how the Saints adjust moving forward.”
Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have their own quarterback issues. Rookie Bryce Young, who had been showing flashes of brilliance, is expected to miss time due to injury. This leaves the Panthers without their star rookie, placing even more pressure on their offense to compete in the division.
“Injuries happen, and we’ve all had to adjust,” said Falcons wide receiver Drake London. “We can’t control what’s going on with the other teams, but we know this is our chance to capitalize and put ourselves in a good position.”
The Falcons are focused on their Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots, a game that could have significant implications for their season. With starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. recovering from a knee injury, veteran Kirk Cousins will take the helm. Cousins, who was brought in to provide stability, will need to perform at a high level for the Falcons to maintain their playoff hopes.
“It’s about focusing on what we can control,” said Cousins, looking ahead to the Patriots game. “We know the division is up for grabs, and we have to take care of business every week. I’m ready to step in and give this team what it needs.”
As the NFC South remains tightly contested, the Falcons know they must capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding their rivals. Their ability to adjust to their own quarterback situation and take advantage of their rivals’ struggles will be crucial to their success in the coming weeks.
“It’s a big opportunity for us,” said head coach Raheem Morris. “The players understand that we can’t wait for things to fall into place — we have to go out and make it happen. We’re focused on taking this division back.”
The next few games could determine whether the Falcons can turn this opportunity into a playoff push or let it slip away.
Eagles News: NFL trade deadline suggestions have Philadelphia landing cornerback help
3 trade deadline deals that make sense for the Eagles, 2.0 - PhillyVoice
In 2024, Alontae Taylor had 89 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 16 pass breakups. He is scheduled to be a free agent in 2026, so the Saints may be looking to get something in return for him while they still can. And obviously, Howie Roseman and Mickey Loomis have made more than their share of trades over the years. A late third-round pick feels like fair compensation.
NFL takes on Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, plus trade offers - ESPN
Eagles get creative in the secondary. Eagles get: CB Ja’Quan McMillian, 2026 seventh-round pick. Broncos get: 2026 sixth-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick (can become a fifth on playing time conditions). With second-year studs in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, the Eagles are two-thirds of the way to an elite cornerback room. Mitchell, who plays on the outside, has the third-most targets of any corner this season, per Next Gen Stats -- but he’s only surrendering a 47.9% completion percentage, which is better than all but two corners. His 6.0 yards per target is well above average as well. But opposite Mitchell, the other outside spot has been hammered. Out of 76 qualifying corners, veteran Adoree’ Jackson leads the league with a 25.7% target rate per coverage snap. His coverage success rate is 66th; his yards per coverage snap allowed is 75th. Teammate Kelee Ringo is only a little better, ranking 53rd in coverage success rate and 48th in yards per coverage snap. Offseason trade acquisition Jakorian Bennett has been on injured reserve with a pectoral injury and just had his practice window open up. He might be the solution to their outside cornerback woes -- or, perhaps, DeJean is the answer.
Eagles are about to get even better and here’s exactly how it’s happening - NJ.com
Rest assured that Roseman is still going to be looking for help over the next eight days because that’s what he always does. “They’re always active, they’re always aggressive and they’re going to be that way again,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on ESPN’s Get Up Monday. “I’ll be surprised if in the next two weeks the Eagles haven’t pulled off at least one trade.” It’s possible that Roseman surprises us all and brings in help a position other than cornerback or edge rusher. He’s not going to surprise, however, by trading star receiver A.J. Brown, who is also likely to return against the Packers from the hamstring injury that kept him out of Sunday’s game against the Giants. “They’re not going to trade A.J. Brown,” Schefter said. “Here’s the deal: they’re trying to repeat as a Super Bowl champion. They’re in the business of acquiring talent and not giving it away. Whatever they can get back for A.J. Brown, they can get back in February or March before the draft.”
Can you imagine if the Eagles had not kept Dallas Goedert? - BGN
Goedert has always been one of the best pass-catching tight ends in football, but he’s also a unicorn in that he’s so incredibly valuable as a run-blocker, too. The offense has struggled when back-ups Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson have been asked to block, and yet had the Eagles not held onto Goedert, that’s what we would have been getting. Would Roseman have swung a trade for a tight end in that eventuality? Probably, but none would have been as reliable or talented as Goedert has been through the first half of the season. His two TDs on Sunday gave him seven on the season, tied with Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown for most in the NFL. Of his 7 touchdowns, 6 have come from inside the red zone, a major reason why the Eagles have converted 17 of 20 trips inside the 20 into touchdowns, most in the NFL.
NFL playoff picture: Who helped and hurt themselves in Week 8 - SB Nation
After dropping two games to have fans reaching for the panic button, the Eagles have won two consecutive games to reach 6-2, and right now they slot into the No. 2. The Eagles now have a bye week before a huge Week 10 tilt with the Packers that could go a long way towards deciding home-field advantage in the NFC. The Eagles currently hold a tiebreaker over the Buccaneers thanks to Philadelphia’s Week 4 win over Tampa Bay.
Keep It Real - Iggles Blitz
Is that enough at pass rusher? Maybe. Howie Roseman will still make his calls. The problem is that half the league is looking for pass rushers and not many are available. Howie can look around, but I don’t know that he’ll find many good options. You don’t want to waste a draft pick just to add a body. You would want to add someone that can truly help. The cost will have to make sense. The other position that’s had some issues this year is cornerback. Kelee Ringo got the start on Sunday. I haven’t had a chance to study his game yet, but the fact he didn’t stand out as a problem is encouraging. He stood out in a bad way in the first Giants game. Adoree Jackson had played better recently before getting hurt. Are either of those guys good enough to help you win in January? That’s a tough question. Howie might actually be more aggressive in calling around about corners. If anything happened to Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles would be in big trouble. There aren’t going to be great options at CB, but they could be better than pass rusher.
Another Special Edition Roob Jalen Hurts Stats! Because he’s that good! - NBCSP
1A. Through eight games, Hurts has completed 70 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns and one interception. The only other quarterback in NFL history at 70 percent with at least 15 TDs and one or fewer INT through eight games is Drew Brees, who was at 76 percent, 17 TDs and one INT eight games into the 2018 season. Hurts is only the seventh quarterback in NFL history with 70 percent, 15 TDs and one INT in any eight-game span in history (within one season). Brees, Kirk Cousins, Lamar Jackson, Jordan Love, Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson also did it. 1B. Hurts’ 114.4 passer rating is highest ever by an Eagles’ quarterback after eight games. Previous high was Carson Wentz’s 109.6 after eight games in 2018.
Fran’s film review: Vic Fangio schemes it up as the Eagles’ pass rush gets going against Jaxson Dart - PHLY
I think the Eagles will try to find ways to platoon these two players and play it by ear as they go. Dean is in a contract year. Campbell is a first-round pick who still is developing as an off-ball player. He has not proven to be a liability, however, and if playing fewer snaps is going to set back his future development, I don’t know if I love that plan for 2026 and beyond. The Eagles coaches on that side of the ball have certainly earned the benefit of the doubt, and I’m sure they have a development plan in place behind the scenes to continue getting Campbell the reps he needs. Still, it’s tough to replace game reps. All that said – Campbell’s versatility off the edge definitely can help them on plays like this. Most edge rushers don’t have the ability to confidently match a running back in space that way (ask Patrick Johnson).
