The Carolina Panthers looked as though they would dominate the NFC South going into week six, but they ran into a buzz saw Sunday in Tampa Bay. Carolina is certainly the most balanced teams in the NFC South, with a bruising running game and an explosive passing game. The Panthers also have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Against Tampa, absolutely none of that potential was evident as the Panthers laid a rotten egg.

Carolina looked lethargic, and completely out of sorts against the Bucs. They did not pass, run, or play defense well at all, and the Bucs took full advantage. What could have been a cusion in the NFC South, has now become a tie atop the division.

Carolina had a very bad week six, but expect them to recover and win the NFC South. This team has to much talent, and they will find their groove again.

Tampa took great advantage against the Carolina Panthers in week six, and now sit tied with them along with the Atlanta Falcons in first place. Tampa beat Carolina in every phase of the game, and looked very good doing it. The Bucs have problems, however, at the quarterback position. This will prevent Tampa from sustaining a full NFL football season playing at this level.

Expect the Tampa Bay Bucs to continue winning as long as Jeff Garcia continues to throw the ball effectively. Garcia has always been streaky, and when he is on he is as good as any in the league at winning football games. The Bucs will go as far as Garcia can take them.

New Orleans has been like a sleeping giant in the NFC South all season. They own an impressive stable of NFL superstars, and can explode against any team in the NFL. The one thing the Saints lack in comparison to the Panthers and Bucs is a dominant defense. This is a problem come the end of the season.

The Saints certainly looked dominant defensively against the hapless Oakland Raiders on Sunday. If they could only do the same against their NFC South foes, the Saints would easily be the class of the NFC. Unfortunately, the Saints usually have race horse type games, and win a fair number of them. Defense wins championships, however, and the NFC South in particular.

Matt Ryan is looking like every bit the NFL superstar that the Falcons hoped for in drafting him. Ryan has been cool, calm and collected in some pretty heated NFL situations already this season. Against the Chicago Bears this week, he actually looked like John Elway in leading his team to victory.

Though Ryan is a big part of Atlanta's success this season, Michael Turner is the real star. Turner has proven that he deserved a starting role after years of backing up Ladainian Tomlinson in San Diego. Turner is leading the NFL in rushing this season, and looks as though he might take it to the house every time he touches the football.

As the Falcons mature, they could really turn the NFC South upside down. If Ryan keeps on improving, and the Falcons find some defensive consistency, they could sneak up on everyone.