Early NFL season division breakdown and prediction (NFC South)

Since the NFL season is just kicking off (pun intended), I am going to do a breakdown of each division, leading up to a post that will predict who will make the playoffs in each conference and who I think will be in the Super Bowl. The seventh division I am going to talk about is the NFC South. 

1. New Orleans Saints - The Saints were on a roll last season, powered by a high octane offense. They looked like they were on there way to the NFC Championship season with only a few seconds left in the Divisional Playoff game...until a flukey Hail Mary pass to Stefon Diggs propelled the Vikings to the championship round. Last season is gone now, but the sting still remains. Players and coaches have said they have forgotten about it, and the Saints fans hope this is true. The Saints are led once again by future Hall of Fame Quarterback Drew Brees and an unbelievable one-two punch at Running Back with former Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram and All-Rookie team Running Back Alvin Kamara. Kamara set the league ablaze last season with his ability to not only run with effectiveness, running for 6.1 yards per carry, but also his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield (he had 81 catches!). Not only do they have the two-headed monster at RB, but they have skilled Receivers in Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr. and returning at Tight End from years past is Benjamin Watson. On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints have returned a stifling defense. Back is a solid Defensive Line in Defensive Tackle Shelden Rankins, to go along with Defensive Ends Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor. They also return Linebackers A.J. Klein and Manti Te'o. In the secondary is where the star power really shines. Returning is All-Rookie Marshon Lattimore, as well as Safeties Kurt Coleman, Von Bell and Marcus Williams. They are one of the best groups in the NFL and will be needed in NFC South, a division where passing yards are aplenty. I expect the Saints to come back strong willed this season and win the division with an 11-5 record. 

2. Atlanta Falcons -  Only two seasons ago, the Falcons were one quarter away from being the Super Bowl Champions, until the wheels fell off, figuratively. Though the Falcons were able to make a decent run to the playoffs last season, beating the NFC West Champion L.A. Rams, the Falcons eventually lost to the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round. Luckily, most of their offense remains in tact, with a few new wrinkles added to the mix. Returning this season is All-Pro Quarterback Matt Ryan, who is accompanied in the backfield by two talented Running Backs in Devonte Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Also returning is All-Pro and fantasy sports dynamo Wide Receiver Julio Jones. Joining Julio Jones is Mohammed Sanu, as well as Rookie Wide Receiver Calvin Ridley from Alabama. Add in Tight End Austin Hooper and you have an offense with a lot of firepower. On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons are led by two sackmasters in Vic Beasley and Takkarist McKinley. Also on the defensive line is stout Defensive Tackle Grady Jarrett. The Linebackers group is led by speedster Deion Jones and Duke Riley. The defensive backfield is led by former Pro Bowler Desmond Trufant and by hard-hitting Safety from the University of Florida, Keanu Neal. I do expect the Falcons to be in the hunt for the division title, but do not expect them to win it. I expect them to finish with a record of 10-6. 

3. Carolina Panthers -  Much like the Falcons being so close to the taste of Super Bowl glory in recent memory, the Panthers were in the Super Bowl only three years ago, ultimately losing in a blowout loss to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Gone from that team is the thunder and lightning Running Back combination of Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert, but this year's Panthers could have a similar tandem of the same style. The backfield is led by Pro Bowl Quarterback Cam Newton, who is accompanied by this team's version of thunder, C.J. Anderson, signed from the Denver Broncos, and lightning in 2nd year Running Back Christian McCaffrey. For the Wide Receiver and Tight End grouping, the Panthers are led by future Hall of Fame Tight End Greg Olsen (Newton's favorite target), as well as Wide Receiver Devin Funchess and former Eagles Wide Receiver Torrey Smith, who was acquired in an offseason trade. They also drafted Wide Receiver D.J. Moore from Maryland in this year's draft, offering them another speedster to stretch the field for the running game. On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers continue to be led by Pro Bowl Linebacker Luke Kuechly. Though he has missed time in recent season with concussions, he returns fully healthy this season. Joining Kuechly in the Linebacker grouping is Linebackers Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson. This offseason, the Panthers added Defensive Tackle Dontari Poe from the Kansas City Chiefs to pair him with Defensive Tackle Kawann Short. Joining these two on the defensive line is Mario Addison and future Hall of Fame Defensive End Julius Peppers, back for another hopeful playoff run. In the defensive backfield, the Panthers will be headed up by future star Defensive Back James Bradberry. I expect the Panthers to finish the season with a record of 10-6. 

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Every year, the Buccaneers seem like they are on their way to becoming a really solid football team, only to get in their own way. Whether it is poor play calling, suspensions or penalties, they always seem to get in their own way. They have one of the most talented offenses in the NFL, led by returning Wide Receiver pairing of Mike Evans and Desean Jackson. Also returning at Quarterback are Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Winston is one of those that consistently creates headaches for the coaching staff and ownership due to his stupid antics and off-the-field actions. He will be suspended for the first three games of the season as a punishment for his alleged groping incident of an Uber driver. He also had instances in college that make him appear to be a player that just doesn't get it. As a result, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will lead the offense to start the season. They will have a new starting Running Back this season, as former starter Doug Martin is gone to the Raiders. The Bucs will either start Running Back Peyton Barber or 2nd round pick in the draft Ronald Jones. At Tight End, the Bucs have two solid options in Cameron Crate and former First Round pick in the draft O.J. Howard. On the defensive side of the ball is where the Bucs made most of their changes. They were quite poor defensively the last few seasons, so management decided to focus on that in free agency, especially the defensive line. They added Jason Pierre Paul, of New York Giants fame, via a trade to try and bolster their pass rush. They also added Vinnie Curry, defensive end, from the Philadelphia Eagles. In the first round of this year's draft, the Bucs selected Vita Vea, a monstrous Defensive Tackle, out of the University of Washington to be paired with All-Pro Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy, a Bucs mainstay. At Linebacker, the Bucs return two very solid Linebackers in Kwon Alexander and Lavtonte David. In the defensive backfield is where the Bucs have really struggled in recent years. They hope  the return of Cornerbacks Vernon Hargreaves and Brent Grimes will bring continuity. If not, two draft picks in this year's draft, Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart, will be waiting in the wings to take their spots. Once again, though the Buccaneers have an immense amount of talent, I don't expect them to be a factor in the division and I expect them to finish with a record of 8-8. 

That concludes the breakdown of the NFC South. Stay tuned for my next breakdown, which will detail the NFC North.

One love,

@jgullinese