NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

Buccaneers LB Shaquil Barrett is on a pace matched by few others in NFL history with 9.5 sacks in his first four games, tied with three other players for the fastest start ever. Barrett has been a force on defense for Tampa Bay and his interception and strip-sack that led to a defensive touchdown were instrumental in a 55-40 win. Still, Barrett wanted to talk more about giving up 40 points than his own accomplishments. 

“I don’t like giving up 40 points,” Barrett said via Eduardo Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. “I know we still won but, no, that’s what you do in college. I used to wonder, ‘They’ve got all these good players on defense and they’re giving up all these points.’ I see it now though. We’re going to fix it. We’re going to change it. It’s not going to be an every-week thing. It definitely won’t.”

• Per ESPN’s Field Yates, Buccaneers CB Ryan Smith will return from suspension this week. 
• Buccaneers LB Jack Cichy will likely miss two to four weeks with an elbow injury. (Greg Auman)

Falcons

• The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz says it’s safe to say Falcons HC Dan Quinn is on the hot seat for the first time in his tenure as head coach. 
• Schultz says Falcons owner Arthur Blank could fire Quinn as soon as the team’s bye in Week 9 if Atlanta continues to struggle in the way it has during its 1-3 start to the season. 

Panthers

• Per the Athletic’s Joe Person, Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey says he’s feeling good despite a career-high 37 touches in Sunday’s 16-10 win against the Texans: “I’m feeling good. I’ll definitely spend some time in the ice tub and move on to next week.”