Will Anyone Step Up To Challenge New Orleans In The NFC South?

The NFC South is expected to be New Orleans and everyone else. Based on last year’s results that’s not an unreasonable expectation at all. The Saints went 13-3 and completely ran away with the divisional title leaving the two teams tied for second–Atlanta and Carolina–in the dust at 7-9. Tampa Bay rounded out the quartet with a 5-11 record. With the NFL betting odds showing the Saints installed at -160 it could be more of the same this year unless the rest of the division shows some marked improvement.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The Saints are going for their third consecutive NFC South title and over the past two seasons have a combined record of 24-8. Drew Brees is coming off a career high 115.7 QB rating and has enviable weapons in wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara. Center Max Unger retired and backup running back Mark Ingram is now with the Ravens. The good news for New Orleans is that there doesn’t look to be much drop off at either position with the Saints adding Nick Easton at Center and Latavius Murray at RB. They also took 6’4″ 300 pound OL Erik McCoy out of Texas A&M with their first pick in the draft. Saints defense might not be a ‘Steel Curtain’ but they finished #14 in both scoring defense and total defense. At worst, the Saints are as good on paper as they were last year. They could be better.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: Panthers started the season 6-2 but then lost 7 straight. Cam Newton was having shoulder issues but he says he’s regained full strength in his arm. Carolina drafted QB Will Grier out of West Virginia but in the short term at least he’ll be little more than a serviceable emergency option. Panthers acquired free agent center Matt Paradis and re-signed All Pro Daryl Williams (missed most of last year due to injury). OL should be better. On the defensive side of the ball, Carolina had fewer sacks than any team in the NFL. Overall, they were decidedly mediocre ranking #15 in total defense and #19 in scoring defense. This could be a ‘make or break’ year for Ron Rivera as head coach. If Newton is healthy and stays that way, they could contend. If not, they could be a disaster.

ATLANTA FALCONS: Like Carolina, injuries derailed Atlanta’s season a year ago and both teams finished with an identical 7-9 record. Quarterback Matt Ryan has a ton of weapons around him including RB Devotna Freeman, WRs Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Calvin Ridley and All Pro tight end Austin Hooper. Atlanta drafted a couple of monstrous OL in Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom but McGary is out with no timetable for a return after a ‘minimally invasive heart procedure’. Defense should be better this year with Keanu Neal and Deion Jones healthy. If the defense regains form and the offensive line can protect Ryan the Falcons could be in contention. If not, like Carolina they could be a disaster.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Bruce Arians is the new head coach and his specialty is developing quarterbacks. Jameis Winston is in the final year of his contract amid questions about his ability to be a franchise QB in the NFL. If he can’t do it, Blaine Gabbert is a capable quarterback at best. Todd Bowles is the new defensive coordinator and while with the NY Jets presided over one of the best run defenses in the NFL. The problem is that neither coach has the personnel he needs. The offense lost their two best wide receivers in DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries. The defense lost their best player as well in Kwon Alexander. The Bucs used their first pick to take Devin White out of LSU to replace Alexander and he’s expected to be good but it’s asking a lot of a rookie to replace an All Pro linebacker. Tampa Bay had the second worst scoring defense in the league last year.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

1. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2. CAROLINA PANTHERS
3. ATLANTA FALCONS
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

BET ATLANTA FALCONS OVER 8.5 WINS -110
BET CAROLINA PANTHERS OVER 8 WINS -130
BET TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS UNDER 6.5 WINS -120
BET CAROLINA PANTHERS TO MAKE PLAYOFFS–YES +220

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