The NFC South has slowly been building their reputation each season as the best group in the division overall. Many people think they have actually surpassed the dreaded NFC East for the best in the Conference. Though they still have a ways to go for that lofty status, they are not far from it. This upcoming season may just be the year that they step up to those expectations, as there are no less than two Super Bowl contenders and all four have the talent to make the playoffs if things go right for their team. Here is how I see the NFC South shaking down this NFL season, in the order I think they will finish.
Carolina Panthers - The Panthers are simply a powerhouse of a team. They have arguably the best running back tandem in the league, and the absolute best coaching staff in the league for my money. They have a quarterback in Delhomme that has fought the battles, and in spite of the meltdown last year in the playoffs he is one of the better playoff quarterbacks in the league. All of these things, coupled with a powerful defense, will put the Carolina Panthers back in the driver’s seat this season.
Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons really could not have known exactly what they were getting with young Matt Ryan coming out of college. They hoped for at least a somewhat serviceable quarterback for the rookie’s first year, and instead they got an all pro rookie year. The kid was incredible and he has the future looking bright in Atlanta. I expect Atlanta will make the wildcard this season with ease, and could challenge for the division as well.
Tampa Bay Bucs - Tampa is a really odd football team. One year they are unstoppable, and the next year they are horrid. What will happen this upcoming year? According to history, it would be expected that they will come out and dominate the division. I think that they are actually a couple years away from being able to do that, but they certainly will have their moments. Any time you play against Tampa, you had better be ready to get hit.
New Orleans Saints - The Saints are a team that is as likely to score one hundred points in a game as they are likely to give up that many. Though the defense has improved, they are still a team that tries to outscore you while giving up plenty of points. This season will be no different, but I expect them to struggle more than usual. Brees and the offense will be top notch as usual, but the defense is going to struggle against the strong running games of the Panthers and Falcons. With that Saints offense, however, you never can tell.
I completely disagree with the prediction. First off, I’d like to state that the Tampa Bay Bucs upcomming season is not at all looking bright. Their small-but-deep team-tweaks will become their demise. The loss of John Gruden, Fred Taylor, Jeff Garcia, and co., will most definitely result in Tampa’s, most likely, worse season in a long time. They will most definitely finish last in their division. With the simple equation that the Saints have greatly improved from last season, and the Bucs have negatively reassembled, they will at least switch 3rd and 4th positions. The panthers had an amazing year last year, but I do not think they can do it again. With the demise of leader’s Delhomme and Peppers, I do not think they will do near to any better then last year. You must all remember, the Saints lost alot of games they shouldnt have lost. Mostly games with merely a few points of victory. These are games without Charles Grant, Will Smith, Reggie Bush, a solidified special teams dept., Marques Colston, Tracy Porter, Mike McKenzie, etc… If new Orleans simply had a legitamit kicker last season, they would of easily sunk into the playoffs. This upcomming season, they now have completely restructured the DNA of their defense, and after four games, we will also fill in gaps with Grant/Smith. With Brees and our now, even more depthful offense, I just don’t think there will be too much room for our division to superior. It can of course go either way, we will see. But it definitely looks like the Saints will be giving the NFC a run for their money this season, as long as everyone takes their vitamins.
Comment by Andrew H. — July 26, 2009 @ 1:34 am