NFC South Preview

From 2002 to 2009, no team in the NFC South earned back-to-back playoff appearances. In 2010, the New Orleans Saints changed that by clinching a Wild Card berth, a year removed from winning the Super Bowl. Then in 2011, the Atlanta Falcons accomplished the same by clinching a wild card spot after winning the division in 2010. The Carolina Panthers have never, ever had consecutive playoff appearances and haven't been to the playoffs since 2008. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have made lots of intriguing moves this off-season, haven't been to the playoffs since 2007, when current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden was their head coach. Many analysts, including ESPN's John Clayton, believe the South is the toughest division in all of football so here is a preview and a few predictions for this division:

4th Place: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

            -The trend in the NFC South from 2003 to 2009 was the team that finished last in the division the previous year would improve enough to reach the playoffs but what happened in 2010 and 2011 will undoubtedly happen again in 2012. The Bucs made some moves after their 4-12 season last year, including hiring Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano to be their head man. I thought they enjoyed a good draft by adding S Mark Barron, RB Doug Martin, and LB LaVonte David, who will all start right away. They made significant upgrades on both sides of the ball in the free agent market by signing WR Vincent Jackson and S Eric Wright. 4th year QB Josh Freeman lost 20 pounds this off-season by "cutting out late night fast food runs" and is hoping to regain his form in 2010, a season in which he was named a Pro Bowl alternate. I really like the Bucs defense, especially the secondary featuring Aqib Talib, Ronde Barber, Eric Wright, and Mark Barron but I'm not fond of the Bucs offense, mainly because of their offensive line. Freeman will have to have better protection to cut down on his 22 interceptions from last year, which was the 2nd most in the NFL. I will say the Buccaneers have a bright future ahead of them but in a very tough division they finish 1 game better than last season at 5-11.

3rd Place: Carolina Panthers

            -With all the high optimism in the Carolinas surrounding this team, I could easily justify writing a "homer" analysis piece and give the Panthers a 10-6 or a 11-5 record with them going deep into the playoffs. But, I actually don't believe it. I do love this team and think there is something special about it but I do believe the Panthers are 1 year away. Carolina added 3 key contributors in this April's draft in LB Luke Kuechly, G Amini Silatolu, and CB Josh Norman. The Panthers offense will be one of the Top 5 offenses in the league as they were last season and will probably be even better because of the addition of all-around back Mike Tolbert. The Panthers are heavy in talent in the backfield but don't have enough weapons on the outside which will make it tough if they get off to a slow start and have to play from behind for most of the game. Carolina features arguably the best linebacking corp but the worst defensive line in the NFL and that defensive line needs to put pressure on the QB to help out the Panthers struggling secondary that I feel only features one quality player in CB Chris Gamble. The Panthers defense has a lot to prove for me to believe in all the hype. Combine the lack of defensive talent in the back 4 and front 4, a tough division, and an even tougher schedule, I'm putting the Carolina Panthers at 8-8 for the 2012 season.

2nd Place: New Orleans Saints

            -The NFL is a quarterback-driven league and if you don't believe that you are naive. The Saints have the best QB in the division which is why I think they will overcome Bountygate but not to the extent that they will win the division. Bountygate removed their head coach, several key players, and ravaged there 2012 Draft. I do however like New Orleans 3rd round pick, NT Akiem Hicks, who has supposedly been impressing during training camp and OTAs. He is the defensive Amini Silatolu; They are both small school players, who didn't qualify academically at DI schools and who are known for their mean streaks. The Saints also countered the suspension of LB Jonathan Vilma by signing LBs Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, and trading for LB Barrett Ruud. Also watchout for 2011 1st round pick DE Cameron Jordan, I think he'll be a breakout player this season. On offense, I don't think they'll miss a beat even with the departure of WR Robert Meacham; Brees will make any WR look good, they still have TE Jimmy Graham, they have a stable of running backs that go 4-deep and signed 2011 Pro Bowl G Ben Grubbs to solidify their offensive line. Like I said before, I think the Saints will overcome Bountygate but ultimately I think they'll finish 10-6, and lose a tie-breaker to the Falcons for the NFC South crown.

1st Place: Atlanta Falcons

            -I actually think the Saints or the Panthers have the best offense in the division and the Bucs will end up with the best defense in the division, but overall, I think Atlanta has the best team. The best way I can describe the Falcons is just solid. They aren't going to turn the ball over but they will take it from you, they have explosive athletes on offense to break the game open but also have backs they can use to control the clock. They have pass rushers that will get the quarterback and they have three corners that can stick with their guys long enough to get coverage sacks. They will be solid on special teams, put up a lot of points of offense, and will be middle of the road on defense, knowing all of that adding their easier schedule than most, I say the Atlanta Falcons are the 2012 NFC South division champions.....but will lose in the 1st round of the playoffs like the last 2 years.

And yes I just took a shot at the Falcons....I had to.