NFC South Preview

Can we skip the NFC South? Does anyone really care about this division?

Every year this and the AFC South battle for the title of least relevant/cared about division, and I feel like this always squeaks out the narrow victory.

I called the Bucs being live in this division last year, so I'm going out on a limb again. Because this is the division to do that. Anything is possible when no one's good. Let's dive in.

Atlanta Falcons

If I believe what I said about the Jets, I must believe the same here. The Jets and Falcons are mirror images of each other. The last few years they’ve been the leaders of the “just a QB away” parade. They now each have a QB, both of which are coming off Achilles injuries and north of 35 (and 40) years old. Both teams have an unproven but assumed sure-fire young stud at RB. Their WR1’s are both first round picks from two years ago, and yet to see their full potential with a real QB throwing them the ball. And not much depth in the WR room, with underperforming guys whether its production or availability. Two questionable offensive lines, and two defenses loaded with household names that are highly touted going into the year. They’re the same team! So if the team with Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting my stamp of approval, the one with Kirk Cousins certainly isn’t.

The NFC South has the easiest schedule of any division this year, which would be the reason to push back on my claim, but that includes the other three teams as well. Because of the schedule and the lack of good football teams in the NFC, I wouldn’t be surprised if this team gets hot at the end of the year and snags a wild card spot, but I don’t see the dirty birds flying to the top of the division this year. Record: 9-8

Carolina Panthers

I’m not saying that I think people should be talking about the Panthers, please don’t get me wrong. But I do think they’re a much better football team than they were last year, so let me give them their 30 seconds of fame for maybe the only time this season.

Bryce Young was put into a Mac Jones situation last year, so let’s stop comparing him to CJ Stroud and give the kid a break, it’s not his fault he had no one to throw it to and no one to protect him. That doesn’t excuse all of the pathetic-ness he displayed, but was enough for the team to realize they needed a WR1 and some offensive line help if they want to give their QB a shot at success, so credit where it’s seldom due to the Panthers front office for doing exactly that.

Dionte Johnson is a beast, and with Adam Thielen back in his rightful place as WR2 and a couple young bucks behind him, the receiver room doesn’t look so sorry. One $100 million offensive guard won’t fix all problems, but it certainly won’t make them worse. Jonathan Brooks will be the best RB in that room on his first day fully healthy from his ACL tear. I don’t think the defense will be any good, but they have a lot of young guys so you never know. I bet you thought this would be a hit piece on the Panthers. Not so fast my friends. Don’t worry they’ll still stink. Record: 5-12

New Orleans Saints

Remember what I said in the AFC North preview: buy low, sell high. Last year this team was a sure fire bet to cakewalk through this division. Why I don’t know. So although I pussied out on my final prediction, I in most part sold the hype claiming they’d win the division at 8-9 due to process of elimination. Now the team is projected third in a fairly weak division with no one talking about them at all. But they have an eerily similar roster as the roster that had 2023 preseason hype, so if we look at value, I’m buying.

I already talked about my shortcomings with the Falcons. I’ll soon talk about my shortcomings with Tampa. I gave the Panthers a cookie but still see them only winning five games. This division is so up for grabs, and while I refuse to say dude where’s my Carr is a potent QB, I like this team in this spot. I know he was there last year with limited success but I really like Jamaal Williams backing up Alvin Kamara, who’s primed for a great year if Jamaal is slightly more effective. Michael Thomas is gone, and that means Chris Olave gets the chance to prove himself. I think he’s the real deal and maybe the best WR in the division (currently, all due respect to Mike Evans). My hesitation is that I think Dennis Allen has turds for brains. But even turd brain got this team to 9 wins last year. I think they do it again, sweeping the Falcons and taking the division. WHO DAT. Record: 9-8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I felt like I was part of this team last year. Laughed off stage like Brennen Huff at his high school talent show, Tom Brady retired and this team was proclaimed dead. Not by me. I picked them as a sleeper team and rode the wave with them to the playoffs like I was Captain Jack Sparrow on their stupid pirate ship inside Raymond James. But I foresee the seas getting a bit rougher this year.

I love the Jalen McMillan pick, but am having trouble seeing the same level of magic Baker produced last year. Keep in mind the magic I refer to only led them to 9 wins. They have a lot of continuity on the offense, but lost two starting OL, and Shaq Barrett and Devin White on their defense. I’m not the biggest believer in Todd Bowles either. This team is more than capable of repeating as division champs, but I think this division will have some NFC East vibes with champs rotating every year for the foreseeable future. That first place schedule (Ravens and Lions) doesn’t help. Record: 8-9