Last season, the NFC South finished as one of the best divisions in the NFL. Difficult schedules and personnel changes will make the road to the playoffs tougher, but the NFC South is loaded with talent again, led by the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
Here is a look at what promises to be another fascinating season in the division.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers never seem to catch a break. It almost isn’t fair Tampa Bay has to play six games against playoff contenders from their own division every year. Then, Quarterback Jameis Winston finds ways to disappoint, earning a three-game suspension, and head coach Dirk Koetter never seems to measure up against opposing NFL head coaches.
Still, there is talent on this roster. DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans form a solid 1-2 punch at wide receiver and tight end O.J. Howard gives Winston a huge target in the red zone.
Defensively, the front four will be dangerous. Gerald McCoy and Jason Pierre-Paul should work well up front and first-round pick Vita Vea will be a star one day. Also, don’t underestimate Noah Spence as a valuable contributor in a rotational role. The secondary also features some interesting young talent behind the current starters and there could be a changing of the guard in the defensive backfield as the year moves forward.
However, Winston’s suspension and the lack of a featured running back puts Tampa Bay in a horrible position to start the season.
Game to Watch: Tampa Bay’s schedule is a gauntlet during Winston’s suspension. They face the New Orleans Saints, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. And there are no guarantees he'll start in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears and newly acquired star linebacker, Khalil Mack. It will be interesting to see how Winston handles the Atlanta Falcons coming off a bye on Oct. 14, especially with the possibility the Bucs enter the game 0-4.
Two Players to Watch: Running back Peyton Barber takes over the featured back slot for the Bucs this season. Tampa Bay needs him to produce, especially with Winston out early. This offense will be woefully one-dimensional if he doesn’t emerge as at least a serviceable starter.
Jameis Winston has a lot to prove after his suspension. The numbers don’t lie. He improved in many areas throughout his first three years. Yet the game is more than numbers. If he can become the leader the Bucs need, Tampa Bay has enough talent to surprise everyone.
Predicted Win Range: 2-to-6 wins
3. Carolina Panthers
Two factors will determine the Panthers’ fate this season: Quarterback Cam Newton, and the team's aging secondary.
It’s hard to believe Newton is entering his eighth NFL season. It’s even harder to believe he only has one season of over 30 touchdown passes under his belt. Newton has also completed 60 percent of his passes just twice in his career. In short, Newton is not the top-tier franchise quarterback many experts believed he would be.
That said, his rushing has won many games for this team. Newton is a true dual-threat quarterback, and if the Panthers can give him enough support, we may see a return to his 2015 MVP form.
Defensively, the aging secondary will be a concern. With two games each against the Falcons and Saints, not to mention match-ups with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Seattle Seahawks, Carolina could be in trouble.
The roster has playoff talent but many factors have to work out in the Panthers’ favor for a deep run into the postseason.
Game to Watch: The Panthers will face off with the Falcons on the road in Week 2. This game should let everyone know where Carolina stands in the NFC South this season.
Two Players to Watch: The feature running back job is all Christian McCaffrey’s now, and that’s a good thing with new offensive coordinator Norv Turner. McCaffrey’s production will make a huge difference in whether the Panthers make the playoffs.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly’s career has been marred by injury. When healthy, he’s one of the best. If he stays on the field for 16 games, the Panthers have a shot at keeping up with the Falcons and Saints.
Predicted Win Range: 9-to-11
2. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons bring back a loaded roster with few holes in 2018, but its offense must return to its 2016 form if they are going to make a deep run into the playoffs.
Atlanta will also need to replace defensive tackle Dontari Poe’s production in the trenches. His impact shouldn’t be underrated.
Overall, the Falcons’ schedule features four games against playoff teams in the first five weeks of the season. If Atlanta can get through that gauntlet relatively unscathed, they will be in the driver’s seat for the division title and another trip to the playoffs.
Game to Watch: The Falcons head to New Orleans for a showdown with the Saints on Nov. 22. The Week 12 matchup will likely put the winner in the driver’s seat for the NFC South title.
Two Players to Watch: Atlanta drafted Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley to add another deep threat to the offense. The Falcons did well between the 20s last season but struggled once they got inside the red zone. Adding Ridley should help solve that problem.
Colorado defensive back Isaiah Oliver entered the 2018 NFL Draft with several teams looking at him as a possible first-round pick. Instead, he dropped all the way to the 58th pick of the second round. Now, he has a chance to make an immediate impact as the third cornerback in a conference loaded with high-level quarterbacks.
Predicted Win Range: 11-to-13
1. New Orleans Saints
The Saints appear primed to make a Super Bowl run in 2018, and it’s easy to see why. There are few holes on the roster, they get the Rams, Eagles and Steelers at home, and the Saints begin their season with five of six opponents that finished outside of the playoffs in 2017.
The NFC South is the Saints’ to lose. New Orleans must find a way to keep running back Alvin Kamara fresh with Mark Ingram suspended for the first four games, and they must protect their future Hall of Fame quarterback, Drew Brees. If they can do those two things, the odds are good for a New Orleans Super Bowl run.
Game to Watch: The Saints travel to Minnesota on Oct. 28 for a rematch of their epic playoff game from last season. This NFC Battle of the Titans should have huge implications for the playoffs, especially for the Vikings. With a rejuvenated Green Bay and Chicago in their division, the Vikings will have this date circled on their calendar as a must-win.
Two Players to Watch: Ageless wonder Drew Bree somehow continues to play at a Pro Bowl level despite being 39 years old. He has shown signs of slowing down. His passes aren’t quite as accurate or consistently strong as they used to be, which result in more turnovers. Yet, he’s still one of the best. If Brees holds off Father Time for one more season, another title could be his.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore quickly emerged as one of the league’s best cornerbacks last season. All eyes will be on him as he faces some of the best passing games in the league again this season. Look for him to avoid a sophomore slump.
Predicted Win Range: 12-to-14
Follow Us
Subscribe