In this article, we will take a look at the hardest 4 game stretch for the Saints, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Falcons. The following list will be based of the 2020 schedule, and which 4 games in a row are the toughest for each team in the marvelous NFC South.
New Orleans Saints
Weeks 9-12: @ Buccaneers, vs 49ers, vs Falcons, @ Broncos
This four game stretch starts off with one of the craziest teams on paper. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled in the past, but Tom Brady with the #1 WR core should help them improve. This SNF game will be a classic.
Thankfully for New Orleans, this game is in the Superdome. However, it does not take away the fact that they are playing the reigning NFC Champions. These 2 teams met back in 2019, with the 49ers winning 48-46. Emmanuel Sanders will also be craving for revenge against his former team.
Next up, the Saints will face their division rival Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are major sleepers for 2020 because of their stacked division. Julio Jones, Todd Gurley, Matt Ryan, and Calvin Ridley is not an offense anyone wants to face.
To finish off this ridiculous 4 game stretch, the Saints will travel out west to Denver. Mile High is hard enough to play in, and will be harder for the Saints players that are accustomed to a dome. The Broncos dual RB field and dual WR core will be a tough task.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Weeks 12-16: vs Chiefs, BYE, vs Vikings, @ Falcons, @ Lions
The new look Buccaneers start off this stretch with the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have a ton of gas left in the tank, and have not lost many players in Free Agency. This will be one of the greatest games of the year, and a tough game for both teams.
Luckily for the Bucs, they have a bye in this tough stretch. After their bye, they will stay in Tampa to play the Vikings. The Vikings did lose Stefon Diggs, but are still strong playoff contenders. Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and Adam Thielin is not an offense you want to play against. The defense will also present a challenge to Brady and co.
Similar to the Saints, the Buccaneers have the Falcons in their 4 game stretch. The Falcons have play-makers all around their offense. Add that to a stellar defense, and the Falcons become a tough team to face,
The worst team for the Buccaneers during this period is the Lions. The Lions are not great on paper, and have not proved to be great on the field. The only thing the Lions have an edge over the Bucs is home-field advantage. However, upsets are very common in the NFL. This would be a perfect time for the Lions to pull off a rare upset, since the Buccaneers will most likely be looking to the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers
Weeks 14-17: vs Bears, @ Packers, @ Redskins, vs Saints
In 2020, the Carolina Panthers will be facing the entire NFC North. In week 14, they face the Chicago Bears. If Mitch Trubisky (or Nick Foles) can match the high level of their defense, the Bears will be a very good team. The Bears superstar defense alone will be a tough opponent for the Panthers.
Playing Aaron Rodgers is one thing, but playing at Lambeau Field is another. Lambeau is one of the loudest stadiums, and this Week 15 matchup could be played in the snow. Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and DeVante Adams is a big 3 no team wants to face.
The Redskins don’t seem to scary compared to other great teams, but they have the ability to be a sneaky team into the playoffs. The Redskins star defense highlighted by Chase Young and the coaching staff is very underrated. Add this with Bryce Love and Terry McLaurin, and this Washington team can be very elite.
In the final week of the season, the Panthers will face the Saints. For the past couple years, the Panthers have had plenty of trouble defeating the Saints. The odds are the Saints will be resting their starters for the playoffs. Either way, Bridgewater will face a tough time against his former team.
Atlanta Falcons
Weeks 1-4: vs Seahawks, @ Cowboys, vs Bears, @ Packers
This game will definitely be one of the best games in Week 1. However, it is not the ideal matchup for the Falcons. Playing Russel Wilson, Lockett & Metcalf, and the Seahawks superb defense is a very scary team. The last thing you want is to start a season 0-1.
The Cowboys are unnecessarily hated on for the 2020 season. The team may have its issues off the field, but their roster seems to show they won’t have any on the field. Shutting down Zeke is as hard as it gets, but the Cowboys also have Lamb, Cooper, and Gallup to lean on.
As I said earlier, the Bears defense is scary enough alone. If the QB for the Bears plays well, Allen Robinson can become a major threat. Also, David Montgomery is an extremely underappreciated RB that can be great if his offensive line holds up. Khalil Mack and his squad will harass Matt Ryan all day.
Finally, the Falcons will travel up north to Green Bay. Fortunately, this game is early in the season meaning no snow. However, Aaron Rodgers is one of the best QBs no matter the condition. Matt LaFleur always has a great gameplan, and will make Dan Quinn work hard for this win.
