The NFC South is undoubtedly one of the most exciting divisions in the league. It has sent 2 teams to the Super Bowl in the last 2 years, and also features an up-and-coming team in the form of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In a tight division like this it is difficult to predict who will come out on top, but I’ll give it a shot.

Team 1: The Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons went to the Super Bowl last year, and honestly should have won if not for some awful late game play-calling. While they may not reach the same heights this year, I have little doubt that the Falcons will go to the playoffs again. Of course it will be difficult to adjust to a new stadium and play with a new offensive coordinator, but with the amount of talent on the Falcons roster, I don’t think they’ll have too much trouble winning games.

This talent can be found in almost every area of the offence. QB Matt Ryan was the league MVP last year, and Julio Jones is the best WR in the NFL. The Falcons other WR’s, Gabriel and Sanu, are above average, and help to create what is one of the best WR tandems in the league. At RB, Atlanta have not one, but two top quality players: Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Having two class RB’s means that Atlanta can split the plays between them, meaning neither RB gets too tired, and if either of them gets injured then the Falcons still have a good RB on the field. An offensive line featuring dominant centre Alex Mack will create holes for the RB’s, and give Matt Ryan time in the pocket. Overall, the Atlanta Falcons offence is one of the best in the league.

It was the defence which many people were analysing before the Super Bowl, with people calling it average. However, the defence was able to shutdown the Patriots offence in the 1st half, and led to people realising that the Falcons are actually good on both sides of the ball. Vic Beasley Jr. was a constant threat to opposition QB’s last year, coming up with 15.5 sacks, the most in the league. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford are a fantastic CB pairing, capable of shutting down WR’s, and the Falcons have also signed elite DT Dontari Poe (the one who threw for a TD last year).

The Falcons success depends on how they play with their new offensive coordinator, Steve Sarkisian, as their success last year had a lot to do with the play-calling of Kyle Shanahan. If Sarkisian can replicate Shanahan’s success, apart from in the 2nd half of the Super Bowl, then I see no reason why the Falcon’s can’t go to the playoffs again.

Key Player: Matt Ryan

One to Watch:

Expected Record: 12-4

Team 2: The Carolina Panthers

The Panthers did not have the season they expected to have last year. After a strong season in 2015, ending in a Super Bowl defeat, the Panthers were expected to get right back into the chase for a Lombardi Trophy. This did not happen. Instead, Carolina finished at the bottom of their division, with an embarrassing 6-10 record. I think the Panthers will do better this season, not as good as in 2015, but certainly better than last year. The Panthers simply have too many quality players to have another losing season.

QB Cam Newton got a lot of schtick last year, and if you look at his stats it is easy to see why. Cam only completed 52.9 percent of his passes, threw for just 19 touchdowns, and gave up 14 interceptions. But as always, stats don’t tell us the whole story. Newton was behind a terrible o-line last year, and was constantly running for his life from defenders. With no protection, it is difficult to throw accurately, so the poor o-line is at least partly to blame for Newton’s poor performance last year. Without injuries though, the line might be able to protect him. Centre Ryan Kalil is solid, and guard Trai Turner has always impressed. Tackle Matt Kalil was a big money addition to the line this offseason, but I think this must have been a favour for his brother Ryan, because Matt has done nothing to warrant a huge contract. Despite this, if he stays fit he should be decent at providing protection for Newton.

At WR, the only above average player they have is Kelvin Benjamin, although he didn’t look too fit at the start of training camp. Newton lost one of his favourite targets in the offseason, pacey WR Ted Ginn Jr., so other WR’s will have to step up to the plate. Perhaps long time WR3 Devin Funchess will break out this year. Regardless of who the WR’s are, Newton’s main target will remain as Greg Olsen, who has been one of the best TE’s in the league for years now. The Panthers biggest move this offseason was drafting RB Christian McCaffrey, who will share snaps with veteran Jon Stewart, and can also play as a WR.

Defence is the Panthers strongest aspect. Luke Kuechly is the best MLB in the league, and always causes problems for o-lines. New signing DE Julius Peppers may be old, but he’s still got it, and will provide invaluable experience to the dressing room, as will linebacker Thomas Davis. I could go on for a long time naming great Panthers defenders, such as DT Kawann Short, and FS Kurt Coleman, but it is easier to just say that the defence is a fantastic unit.

Overall, the Panthers have a great roster, and will do better this season than last year. However, they won’t get close to their 15-1 record in 2015. Instead I see them finishing 10-6.

Key Player: Luke Kuechly

One to Watch: Christian McCaffrey

Expected Record: 9-7

Team 3: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The biggest offseason news coming from Tampa Bay was a kicker battle. Make of that what you will. Regardless of whether or not you find kicking exciting, it is an important part of the game, and Nick Folk will be the one responsible for hitting PAT’s and Field. This comes after he defeated the Bucs 2016 2nd round draft selection Roberto Aguayo in a contest that we saw on this seasons Hard Knocks, therefore confirming Aguayo as one of the worst selections in history.

Anyway, the kicker battle is done, and the Bucs have gone from a bad kicker to an average one, but that’s not what I want to write about. What I want to write about is the exciting offence Tampa Bay has. Jameis Winston is young and talented, and threw for 28 TD’s last year, the Buccaneers franchise record. RB Doug Martin is also skilful, and holds the Buccaneers record for most rushing yards per game in a career. Ok, so maybe the Buccaneers franchise records are easier to break than I thought.

Electric WR DeSean Jackson signed for the Bucs in the offseason, and will be a constant threat to opposition defences, as will star receiver Mike Evans. Rookie O.J Howard is a physical freak, and was easily the best TE in the draft, and I can’t wait to see what he does in an NFL offence. The offensive line is the only real weakness in the offence, and even that has its stars, such as young centre Ali Marpet.

Defensively, the Bucs aren’t as strong. They still have good players, such as veteran DT Gerald McCoy, and promising CB Vernon Hargreaves III, but it’s not an elite unit by any means. They’re not the worst in the league though, and can still do a job.

The Bucs are set for a strong season, and I believe they can finish 2nd in this division, beating out the Panthers but not quite doing as well as current NFC South champs Atlanta.

Key Player: Jameis Winston

One to Watch: O.J Howard

Expected Record: 10-6

Team 4: The New Orleans Saints

When the worst team in the division has Drew Brees at QB, it says all you need to know about the strength of the NFC South. Of course, Brees can sometimes look like the only star of the New Orleans Saints.

With Cooks gone, the Saints will struggle even more than last year. I still expect him to throw for around 5,000 yards, as Brees always does, but it will be more difficult for him now that his top targets are Ginn Jr. and Willie Snead IV. Of course, Brees does throw it a lot in the Saints air raid offence, and it will be interesting to see if this changes with the signing of Adrian Peterson. Mark Ingram will still be the starting running back to begin with, but he will be splitting snaps with AP, and if Peterson regains the form that made him a legend then he might take Ingram’s place as RB1.

Of course, it’s the defence that has been the Saints problem for the las few seasons. While they do have star DE Cameron Jordan, and some promising young stars like rookie CB Marshon Lattimore and FS Von Bell, the defence overall is quite poor. It will once again let Brees down in his search for another Super Bowl ring.

Key Player: Drew Brees

One to Watch: Marshon Lattimore

Expected Record: 6-10