Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly look at Tampa Bay’s NFC South foes every Tuesday morning. Let’s spy on the Bucs’ division rivals, shall we?

Atlanta Falcons

• Falcons owner Arthur Blank spoke with Peter King of NBC Sports on Monday and made some headlines when he predicted the NFL season will happen – but possibly with no fans in attendance.

“I could easily see camps being shorter, players being tested on a daily basis, things of that nature,” Blank said. “No fan attendance. Things like that.

“If I had to speculate now, and I use the word speculate because that’s really all it is, I would say yes [to 16 games]. Only because it’s so far away from where we are today.”

Falcons QB Matt Ryan and Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Getty Images

• The Falcons came into the 2020 free agency period with little salary cap space, yet were able to sign pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. and running back Todd Gurley.

Some creative maneuvering made this possible. Atlanta was able to restructure quarterback Matt Ryan, tackle Jake Matthews and defensive end Alvin Bailey’s current deals to create the space to be active in free agency.

By doing so, it may create cap headaches next year and beyond, but head coach Dan Quinn and G.M. Thomas Dimitroff are in a win-now mode after nearly being fired in 2019 after the Falcons got off to a terrible start. A late-season resurgence saved both of their jobs but Blank most likely won’t stand for another losing season in 2020.

• With the XFL season officially over due to the coronavirus situation, NFL teams have begun to search the rosters and sign XFL players. The Falcons have added tight end Khari Lee of the D.C. Defenders, who had eight catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns

Atlanta also is poised to sign another XFL player according to reports. Edmond Robinson was a linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks and notched 22 tackles, two sacks, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in five games.

Carolina Panthers

• The Cam Newton era officially ended last week when the Panthers said goodbye and cut their long-time starting quarterback. Newton, a three-time Pro Bowler and NFL MVP in 2015, wasn’t happy about the situation and has posted on social media expressing what he feels was a mistake.

Cam Newton – They gave up on me.”pic.twitter.com/yqeeoHkKhs

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 26, 2020

Newton is working out and plans to play in 2020 with a chip on his shoulder. The question, the same one that former Bucs QB Jameis Winston faces, is where? Most likely Newton and Winston will have to take a backup job with hopes of a Ryan Tannehill-Titans-type situation.

Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater and Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Getty Images

• New Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater knows it won’t be easy to replace Newton in Carolina but is up for the challenge and opportunity.

“It’s a unique situation. I just have to be myself. … I knew when Drew [Brees] got injured I had big shoes to fill in. I reminded myself to be me,” Bridgewater told the AP last week. “I take pride in proving people wrong. They told me I would take 18 months to come back from my injury. They told me I couldn’t win last year and I won. I don’t wake up with the mindset that I want to lose.”

• Despite an influx at the wide receiver position so far this year for the Panthers, Joe Person of The Athletic reported recently that Carolina have no plans to shop Curtis Samuel, instead try to provide Bridgewater with as many weapons as possible. Samuel caught 54 passes for 627 yards and six touchdowns with three different quarterbacks under center last season.

New Orleans Saints

• The Saints re-signed Drew Brees to a new two-year contract this offseason, but also placed a first-round tender on Taysom Hill. Head coach Sean Payton told ESPN that the Saints put a first-round tender on Hill because they think he’s their starting quarterback in the future.

Despite being Brees’ backup, Payton said you won’t see Hill standing on the sideline just holding a clipboard this year.

Saints QB Taysom Hill – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“He’s a tremendous blocker – I don’t think people realize how fast he is – he’s one of the two or three fastest guys on our team,” Payton said. “I think Taysom sees himself as being a starting quarterback in this league, and we do too.”

• Speaking of Payton, the Saints head ball coach is recovering after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. And now wants to help others but giving his plasma.

“I’m in that unique group that they believe can’t get it again this season and can’t give it,” Payton said. “I’m waiting to hear if people like me are going to be able to give blood. I don’t know the specifics, whether that’s through a transfusion or plasma replacement. I know they’re looking to see if there’s a benefit to people who have had it and recovered from it and now maybe have the blood or the antibodies built up to help someone who has it. I’m waiting to hear if that’s the case and if it is, what’s the protocol and where do you go to give blood.”

New Orleans has been hit particularly hard by the virus with the latest stats showing 1,500 cases in the city and nearly 200 deaths.

Former Saints QB Bobby Hebert’s father recently passed away from the virus and former Saints kicker Tom Dempsey, who for decades held the NFL record for the longest field goal at 63 yards has tested positive for Covid-19.

• Brees while trying to get some exercise recently encountered a rattlesnake and posted a picture of it, drawing a response from his head coach.

The baby rattlesnakes were out today… Saw them on the late afternoon walk with the dogs. https://t.co/i1rrxsArn4

— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) March 30, 2020

Let’s find a different route. Ok?

— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) March 30, 2020