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NFC South Notebook: Smith's clock management; McCown gifts Bears a win

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

Every Monday and Friday, theScore's NFL editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the NFC South Notebook.

Atlanta Falcons

Smith tries to explain clock-management blunder. Mike Smith's clock management late in the Falcons' loss Sunday left a lot to be desired (and that's putting it nicely). After the game, Smith tried to explain his reasoning

Blank's ominous presence. Falcons owner Arthur Blank took a front-row seat for Mike Smith's postgame press conference, leading to speculation he's in the final stages of deciding whether to fire Smith. 

Trufant battles Gordon. Desmond Trufant went toe-to-toe with 2013 receiving leader Josh Gordon on Sunday and largely held his own. Gordon finished the game with eight catches for 120 yards, but he was held out of the end zone and the Falcons intercepted a few passes directed Gordon's way.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

McCown gifts Bears a win. Josh McCown did his former team a favor Sunday, turning the ball over twice in the third quarter to put the Chicago Bears in position to take over the game. 

Time to go back to Glennon? In light of McCown's poor performance, is it time for the Buccaneers to make yet another quarterback change and hand the reins back to Mike Glennon?

Evans does it again. Mike Evans tied a Buccaneers franchise record Sunday with his fourth touchdown reception in four games. He's just getting started

New Orleans Saints

Payton says season starts now. With the Saints still very much in range of a division title, Sean Payton wants his players to start playing their best football

Should NFL realign? The NFC South is bad - perhaps historically so. Should the NFL consider realigning, or at least revamping its playoff system, to avoid letting bad teams play in the postseason?

Benson pledges $11 million to Hall. Saints owner Tom Benson has pledged to give a whopping $11 million to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the largest contribution by an individual in history. The money will be used to renovate Fawcett Stadium, which will be renamed in Benson's honor.

Carolina Panthers

Proehl wants to keep feeding Benjamin. Despite inconsistent play from Kelvin Benjamin, wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl says the Panthers need to keep feeding their rookie receiver passes

Norman criticizes former teammate. Cornerback Josh Norman's locker was next to former Panther, and current Minnesota Viking, Captain Munnerlyn's for two years, but Munnerlyn never made an effort to help him improve

Ranking Panthers' draft needs. What positions should the Panthers prioritize in next spring's draft. According to CatScratchReader.com, the Panthers' biggest needs are at both ends of the line.

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