With the Panthers enjoying their Sunday off, here are some Carolina-related developments from the day's early games.
Falcons Work Overtime, Stay Unbeaten
Atlanta wasn't sharp, but it was good enough to beat the Redskins, 25-19 in overtime.
After Washington forced the extra period with a 52-yard field goal as time expired, they drove to the Atlanta 48 in five plays. That's when QB Kirk Cousins was intercepted by CB Robert Alford, who returned the game-winner 59 yards.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan completed just 24 of his 42 passes with no touchdowns and two interceptions. It didn't help that a couple of his main targets were gimpy. WR Julio Jones caught five passes for 67 yards while playing through a sore hamstring. WR Leonard Hankerson left for a brief time with a rib injury and finished with just one catch for 13 yards.
The Falcons, who next play in New Orleans Thursday night, now lead the Panthers by a half-game in the NFC South.
Bengals Rally, Stun Seahawks
The Panthers will be in Seattle next Sunday, and it could be a chance to knock out the reeling Seahawks.
After escaping Detroit with a controversial win Monday night, Seattle took a 24-7 lead into the fourth quarter Sunday at Cincinnati. The unbeaten Bengals then scored 17 unanswered to force overtime before K Mike Nugent won it with a 42-yard field goal.
Something, well, many things, aren't going well for the Seahawks right now, but what may be most stunning is their fourth-quarter defense. Last year, they allowed just 67 points in the final quarter during the regular season, including six straight fourth-quarter shutouts to end the year. Through five games in 2015, they've allowed 42 points in the fourth.
Bucs Beat Jaguars, 38-31
After his five-turnover game against the Panthers a week ago, Bucs QB Jameis Winston was mistake-free while facing the Jaguars. The rookie went 13-for-19 for 209 yards with a touchdown pass to RB Doug Martin, who also ran for two scores and 123 yards.
Tampa Bay heads into its bye week at 2-3.
Saints Crushed in Philadelphia, 39-17
Good job, good effort Rob Ryan's defense.
The Saints, who dropped to 1-4, allowed 519 yards to an Eagles defense that had been stuck in the mud. QB Sam Bradford threw for a couple scores, RBs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews each had a rushing touchdown for Philadelphia while Saints QB Drew Brees tossed a pick and lost two fumbles.
NFC South Standings
| Through Week 5 | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Carolina | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| New Orleans | 1 | 4 | 0 |