From the north to the south we go… If the NFC North turns out to be one of the best divisions in football again this year, that wouldn’t be hard to believe. If the NFC South turns out to be one of the worst divisions in football again this year, that wouldn’t be hard to believe either. The Bucs will be favored to win the division no doubt, but everybody else???
Let’s start with the Bucs, and yes, I am buying another good year for Tampa Bay. Over 9.5 wins for me. Baker Mayfield has turned his career around down there, and with all 11 starters returning on offense this year, there’s no reason to believe they won’t continue to do well on that side of the ball. With their coach being a defensive guy, I would say the same for the defense. They are the class of this division, hands down.
If there was one team that could challenge them, it would be the Atlanta Falcons. You know them, the team that paid Kirk Cousins millions of dollars, drafted a QB in the first round, ended up benching Cousins during the regular season, and now, are riding with Penix going forward. I am a Penix fan, but… I’m just not buying the Falcons. Their win total is low enough… 7.5, but… I’m still going under. Losing their center and multiple key pieces on defense will hurt them in the long run.
If there was one team that I think may jump up in the division, it’s the Carolina Panthers. Some folks thought that was going to be last year, believing that Bryce Young will turn into something. It took a horrendous start and subsequent benching, before Young came around later in the season, and did actually look like something. Another year under their head coach, who I kind of like, playing in a weaker division, I’m taking Carolina over their 6.5 wins for this season.
If there was one team that could be the worst in the NFL, it may be the New Orleans Saints. $100 if you can name their starting QB right now without looking? I didn’t think so. If you said Rattler, you’d be wrong. He’s still on the roster, as is Jake Haener (yeah, I’m looking this up). But rookie Tyler Shough is the guy?!?! Yeah, not exactly a fan of a team that has a great history of QBs with the Bears, but man… this is really shitty. Under 6.5 wins all day long.
Unfortunately, the Bears don’t get to play the NFC South this year, but, but… we do have a home game vs the Saints; is it OK if I pencil in a W for that game? Maybe Carolina jumps up and threatens Tampa Bay; I see that more likely than the Falcons. And the Saints, well… they may have to bring back the name the ‘Aints… which will make my people from Atlanta very happy.
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