Atlanta Falcons Tell Defenses to "Pick Your Poison," and More NFC South News

Opposing defensive coordinators face a huge problem when game-planning for the Atlanta Falcons. When facing wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones, along with tight end Tony Gonzalez, how do you effectively cover all three?

The answer is simple; you can't. Teams have been trying all season, and the best anyone can come up with is lock down one, maybe two of the trio and hope the third doesn't torch the defense.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the Falcons call their three-pronged attack on offense their "P.Y.P. Attack." It stands for "Pick Your Poison" and Tampa Bay chose to attempt to cover Julio Jones.

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“It’s not often that I get man-to-man coverage,” Jones said after a busy day. “But when I do, I get excited. It just doesn’t happen that often.”

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Jones caught six passes, including an 80-yard bomb that went for a score, for 147 yards and averaged 24.5 yards per reception.

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“Tony (Gonzalez) and Roddy (White), they have been to a lot of Pro Bowls,” Jones said of PYP’s components. “They need to be over there guarding them.”

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But therein lies the rub. Jones is looking to be every bit the Pro Bowl talent of White and Gonzalez. Which still leaves the problem for the Falcons' opponents.

How do you shut down P.Y.P?

Atlanta Falcons

According to Fox Sports South, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon's return was instrumental to Atlanta's victory over Tampa Bay.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Falcons made it a point to attack with their running game early, even though Tampa Bay's run defense is the best in the league.

Carolina Panthers

The Charlotte Observer takes a look at Monday night's opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Scott Fowler calls Carolina's game against the Eagles a "rare Monday Night Football snoozer." [Charlotte Observer]

New Orleans Saints

With the Saints' loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, WWL-TV thinks there is no longer any room for error if New Orleans wants to make the playoffs.

Peter Finney believes the Saints are balanced or physical enough to make the playoffs. [Times-Picayune]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Josh Freeman lamented about many missed opportunities Sunday, like the overthrown pass toward Mike Williams in the second half that forced Tampa Bay to settle for a field goal. [Tampa Tribune]

One of the keys to Atlanta's success was bottling up rookie running back Doug Martin on Sunday, according to the Tampa Tribune.