NFC South: A Surprisingly Entertaining Division

I've often lumped the NFC and AFC South together as the red-headed step children of the NFL. No one really cares, there's not much interest, and the teams aren't that good.

While that remains true for the AFC South, not as much in the NFC. I'm intrigued by this division. It's mostly two teams, but it's intriguing nonetheless. The Falcons and Bucs both feel like they have equal capabilities of making a deep playoff run or scraping a .500 record, which for nothing else should provide entertainment, especially when they play each other. So for the first time in a while, I'm excited to break this division down.

Atlanta Falcons

They've loaded up first round talent for years. Bijan in the backfield, Drake London and Kyle Pitts out wide, and now Michael Penix behind center. The four of them cumulatively didn't make it out of the first round (8th, 8th, 4th, and 8th overall, respectively). Their five offensive line have all only played for the Falcons. Their entire offense, with the exception of Darnell Mooney and Ray Ray McCloud, are homegrown. That's pretty cool.

They're so due. Drafting Penix in the first round last year had the NFL world laughing at them, me included, but within one year they have the opportunity to prove us all wrong. Penix looked promising at the end of last year. Returning all 11 offensive starters should provide the continuity a young QB needs to take the next step, and I think he's poised to do so. The division isn't that strong outside of Tampa, and they almost snuck into the playoffs last year despite Kirk hobbling around and throwing ducks to the other team.

It feels like it's the Falcons year. If not now, when? I say it's now. Record: 10-7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If you didn't know any better you'd think the Bucs lost a heart breaker in the NFC Championship game last year, were a play or two away from the Super Bowl and had an offseason to mull over the letdown and come out hungry to avenge themselves.

But this is a team that lost on Wild Card weekend at home to the Commanders, the ones who actually lost in the NFC Championship game.

I'm not totally sure where the Bucs hype is coming from, but it's running rampant. Baker is back and has looked incredible since he's been in Tampa, and he still has his crew at WR and RB. My first concern of this team is the health of those weapons, as both Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan are slotted to start the season in street clothes.

Tristan Wirfs, the best lineman the Bucs have and one of the best in the league, is also expected to miss at least the first month of the season with injury.

That's not good given the gauntlet they start with. Weeks one and two on the road in Atlanta and Houston, a bye week with the Jets at home, then Philly, at Seattle, San Fran and Detroit. That's a tough schedule with all your starters healthy, but without them? That smells like trouble to me.

I could see as poor of a start as 2-5 for the Bucs. While I'm not predicting they implode, I think the combination of overhype, injuries, and the Falcons getting better will be enough for the Bucs to be a surprise team to miss the postseason. Record: 9-8

Carolina Panthers

This is most certainly the best Panthers fans have felt heading into week 1 in years. While last year started as a disaster, Bryce Young was given another chance and played very well down the stretch. He won a few games, and took both Super Bowl teams to the brink, including a drop pass in Philly that would've beaten the Super Bowl champs.

The Panthers added what they hope to be a WR1 in Tet McMillan, and are hoping their first rounder from last year Xavier Legette can find his potential. I’m not totally sure why they traded Thielen, I felt like he was good for Bryce.

Outside of that group and Chuba Hubbard, this team just isn’t that great. The defense was by far the worst in the league last year, giving up nearly 4 PPG more than the 31st ranked defense and also being last in yards allowed. They brought in some new faces, but none of which are making me think they'll move up too high in those rankings.

I think this season will be similar to the end of last season for Carolina. They'll be competitive, win a couple more games than they're used to, but still lack the fire power to make a real mark. The roster is still pretty far away, but if some young guys show promise the future can continue to look bright. Record: 7-10

New Orleans Saints

Trying to find a sliver of hope in this section for any Saints fans out there, I googled "are the Saints finally out of cap hell?".

And good news, the answer is yes! Well, almost. Thanks to Derek Carr's sudden retirement which shed $30 million dollars of dead cap, the Saints will be out of cap hell starting next season.

That's all I got for feel good stories. Cause this Saints team should be BAD.

Spencer Rattler was announced as QB1 with less than 10 days until week 1. Got to feel good about the indecision there if you're New Orleans.

I have a bad feeling that we've seen the last of Alvin Kamara as we know him, which is sad given I loved prime Alvin Kamara. Speaking of guys past their prime, Brandin Cooks is still on the team to pair with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. That's a pretty good receiving corps. There's some positivity!

I have no positivity on the defensive side, as one of the worst units in the league will probably be the same this year.

Is that enough? No one wants to hear me talk about this team that no one knows anything about and doesn't care to learn about. If you want to know how things are going in the Bayou scroll to the bottom of the league standings. Record: 4-13