NFC South Preview
We are one week Closer to Football. And with that comes the next division preview with the NFC South my favorite division in the NFL with the best combo of QB's in the league. Same Format as before with Chris doing the regular font picks and mine in Bold. Chris, take it away!
To me, the NFC South is the most interesting division in football. Can the Falcons redeem themselves after one of the most embarrassing losses in Super Bowl History? Can Tampa Bay finally get back to the playoffs with a potentially potent offense? Will MVP Cam Newton show up? Does Drew Brees have yet another 5,000 yard season in his arm? There is a lot to look forward to in this division, so let’s get to it.
Atlanta (12-4): Having Dan Quinn at the helm and more comfortable than ever, this team has a legit claim to make it back to the Super Bowl this season. Quinn started a turnaround with this team at the end of the season, and having a healthy Trufant at corner can only make things better. Reigning MVP Matt Ryan has a new voice in his year, as Steve Sarkisian is the new OC in Atlanta. Will Ryan be able to turn in another stellar year? If Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman stay healthy, there’s no reason Ryan shouldn’t dominate, although he has some competition in Tampa for an MVP bid.
Atlanta (9-7): The falcons will have a superbowl hangover. You can almost guarantee it, but I don't think it will be enough of one to keep the out of the playoffs. The biggest question for me is the defense. They made big improvements last year but no defense in the NFC South other than Carolina was even a top 20 unit. Julio Jones and Matt Ryan will be stellar as always and that with the young talent they have will guide this team once again to the playoffs as a wild card team.
Tampa Bay (10-6): I feel like this is the year Tampa puts it together and makes it to the playoffs. Jameis has everything in place to pull down an MVP trophy, with new toys DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard to go along with Mike Evans give Winston a realistic shot at 5,000 yards. It will be interesting to see how the Bucs use Doug Martin once he comes back from his suspension, especially if Sims or Jacquizz Rodgers succeeds in his absence.
Tampa Bay (7-9): Some people are going to scoff at this prediction but hear me out. After they have their bye week, the next 6 games in order are @ Atlanta, @ Green Bay, Home to Detroit, Atlanta, @ Carolina and home against New Orleans to finish the season out. Keep in mind they also play the Patriots, have a cross country game in Arizona and then the next week have to fly to Buffalo this makes for a tough tough schedule to win in. Tampa will have their moments, but with a not very good defense, and a QB who likes to take chances this team is still a year away.
Panthers (8-8): Things are really interesting in Panther land. They have an old/new GM in Marty Hurney, who replaces Gettleman who originally replaced Hurney. They have arguably the best Linebacker in football with Luke Kuechly who unfortunately is one play away from never being able to suit up due to some serious concussions in his past. Greg Olsen continues to chug along, never missing a game in 6 seasons, and being over 1,000 yards the past 3. Cam Newton’s health, and how he treats contact is going to be the thing to watch in Carolina. Now 28, he needs to start treating his body a little better, and avoid contact instead of seeking it out, which will help twofold in avoiding some of the headshots he has received over the years. With all the change in Carolina, I see them sniffing a wild card all year, only to have a couple bad losses keep them out.
Panthers (10-6): Again most people will scoff at this and call me a homer but, this prediction is all predicated on Cam Newton staying healthy all year long. If he does not, the Panthers will miss the playoffs once again. I don't see that happening. They have the talent only one year removed from a superbowl run, some good young rookies in Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel that will help make this offense explosive. The defense again will be the class of the divsion but the thing working for the Panthers is the schedule is in their favor. Games against the Jets, 49ers, Dolphins, Bears, and Vikings. And besides the New England game in week 4, the game against Green Bay is at home. This team will win the division and make the playoffs.
Saints (6-10): I feel so bad for Drew Brees. After this season, he might be the only quarterback in this division without an MVP trophy, and by then he will be over 70,000 yards for his career if he plays all year. Unfortunately for him, all the pieces aren’t quite in place. Cooks is gone, although Michael Thomas can more than make up for it. The team has been getting some quality pieces on defense the last couple years (Sheldon Rankins, Marshon Lattimore, Alex Anzalone, Vonn Bell) and are on the cusp of a decent defense. Unfortunately, they run into a mix of being too young and having too tough a division to show any sizeable impact yet, which is why I have them at the bottom of the standings.
Saints (6-10): Drew Brees, Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr. That is the saints offense this year. Brees will still throw for 5,000 yards but that won't translate into success for the saints in the win column. The Defense is horrendous, the o-line is horrendous, and the running game is ok. I don't predict much but the Saints will beat teams you don't expect them to beat, and will lose to teams you do expect them to beat. This division is too tough for them to compete with the tools that they have right now and they will finish last.
Quick Toss:
Division MVP: Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay
Division MVP: Drew Brees- New Orleans
Defensive Rookie of the year: Marshon Lattimore – New Orleans
DROY: Tak Mckinley- Atlanta
Offensive Rookie of the year: O.J. Howard – Tampa Bay
OROY: Christian McCaffrey- Carolina
OPOY: James Winston – Tampa Bay
OPOY: Julio Jones- Atlanta
DPOY: Desmond Trufant - Atlanta
DPOY: Luke Kuechly- CAR
