NFC South Wrap Up Week 5

                       NFC South Wrap Up Week 5
 
By Rafael Garcia
Sr. Contributing Writer Football Reporters Online
Southeast Region
 
Carolina 20 Washington 17
For the Panthers it was just a matter of a win any way they could get it. Well they had to sweat it out but got the win when Jonathan Stewart ran in from eight yards with just over nine minutes left in the game. Jake Delhomme came in needing to exercise the demons that have been haunting him since last year’s playoff debacle. He threw his eight interception of the season but that would mean nothing to him later and now the Panthers are in the win column thanks in part to 18 unanswered points. Delhomme was 16-25 for 181 yards and one touchdown pass. He still has plenty of work to do as he has only three touchdown passes this year and is still trying to get in his rhythm. The running game was also stagnant too as Stewart and DeAngelo Williams combined for 79 yards on 28 carries. One thing for sure is the Redskins and their coach are in some trouble now as the Skins continue their slide and it is only a matter of time before fans start to call for the head of coach Jim Zorn. Carolina is still having problems holding onto the football as they had four more fumbles and lost one. Next week they get a chance at two in a row when they go to Tampa Bay.
 
Philadelphia 33 Tampa Bay 14
Well so much for Tampa getting their first win against a Philly team that had their number one quarterback in the lineup again. Donovan McNabb returned and simply lit up the Bucs for 264 yards on 16-21 with three touchdown passes and no picks. Two of those were to Jeremy Maclin who continues to impress in his rookie year. Maclin finished with 142 yards on 6 catches as the Tampa defense offered very little resistance. The Tampa Bay offense was led by young QB Josh Johnson’s 26-50 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw three picks and fumbled twice losing one. Tampa is now on a nine game losing streak dating back to last December when they stumbled their way out of the playoffs. First year head coach Raheem Morris is still searching for his first NFL win.
 
Atlanta 45 San Francisco 10
This was one of those games where one team got outmatched, out muscled and outplayed. The 49ers started the season strong under head coach Mike Singletary. If not for one play they could have started 4-0. Players like TE Vernon Davis went from the dog house to a go to receiver. Then came game time where the Falcons would rip any confidence they had. I mean it was a whipping of the worst kind. Falcons wide receiver Roddy White had 185 yards by halftime and finished with 210 on eight catches with two touchdowns. one was a 90-yard beauty to put Atlanta up 14-0. At halftime it was 35-10 and basically the Niners were done. Matt Ryan was 22-32 for 329 yards and two scores. Michael Turner chipped in with three touchdowns rushing and 97 yards. So Atlanta moves to 3-1 and look to keep pace with the Saints who face the Giants next week.