Fall is in the air, Starbucks has started selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Which means the NFL is back. It’s time to take a look across the league and give expert opinions and predictions, none of which will be wrong.
Check out the NFC East preview and predictions here.
Check out the NFC North preview and predictions here.
The NFC South has been a big dumpster fire since Tom Brady and Drew Brees departed for greener pastures, but someones got to win the division. Last year, it was the make-or-break Baker Mayfield and the Bucs, who won the division at just 9-8, but then went on to dominate the Eagles in the Wild Card game. With Kirk Cousins entering the division, it’s once again up for grabs.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Last season: 7-10
Prediction: 11-6
Enter the aforementioned Kirk Cousins. Cousins came in as a free agent after six season with the Minnesota Vikings. He threw for a lot of yards and won a lot of regular season games for Minnesota, and I expect that trend to continue for the Falcons, at least for the first couple years of his contract. The Falcons won seven games last season with Desmond Ridder, who recently got cut and signed to the practice squad by the Arizona Cardinals after losing the backup QB job.
Cousins is an exceptional upgrade at the position. Drake London and Kyle Pitts finally have someone to throw the ball consistently, and that makes Bijan Robinson even more of a threat in year two (although Tyler Allgeier still stands to get a lot of touches). Raheem Morris has a lot of talent to work with this year, and I think the Falcons capitalize.
New Orleans Saints
Last season: 9-8
Prediction: 9-8
This is what they do.
I don’t like Dennis Allen. I think he is one of the worst coaches in the entire NFL. He actively makes the wrong choice whenever he is faced with a tough decision. He doesn’t elevate his players, in fact, he does the exact opposite. Alvin Kamara’s efficiency and impact have continually decreased under Allen, in favor of giving the ball to guys like Taysom Hill. It was cute when Sean Payton was doing it, but it isn’t cute anymore. Kamara still has a lot of tread left on those tires.
The Saints offense in general is in handcuffs with Derek Carr and Dennis Allen at the helm; the touchdown to end the season that was orchestrated by Jameis Winston is a direct indication of the fracture that locker room has. It’s infuriating watching Allen and Carr lead this team. Another year of average, I suppose.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last season: 9-8
Prediction: 8-9
The overachieving Bucs are gonna regress a tad bit this year. I expect Baker to have a solid showing similar to last season, although the loss of OC Dave Canales could prove to be very impactful. While they retain basically their entire offensive unit (good), minus the retired Ryan Jensen, they lost a ton on defense, including Shaq Barrett, Devin White, and Carlton Davis. The Bucs will be scrappy, and probably have a few shocking victories to boot.
Carolina Panthers
Last season: 2-15
Prediction: 7-10
The Panthers have a very favorable schedule with a ton of winnable games. Carolina brought in the “QB Whisperer” Dave Canales, the former Bucs OC who helped revitalize Geno Smith in Seattle, and Baker Mayfield last year with Tampa. To put it simply: Bryce Young cannot get any worse.
The Cats were barely a functioning franchise last year, but they had a productive offseason. Adding Diontae Johnson in a trade with Pittsburgh gives Young a solid WR to build a rapport with since Adam Thielen is up there in age. Additionally, draft picks Xavier Legette and Jonathan Brooks (when he returns from his ACL injury suffered last November) could be impactful rookies to watch. A huge year for Bryce Young, who has a lot to prove.
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