Atlanta Falcons
Pros: Roddy White and Julio Jones will probably be healthy this year. Matt Ryan is still really good.
Cons: The offensive line will likely still be offensively bad (Matt Ryan may look like a timed-out Perfection game by the end of the season). The defense still blows.
Overall: The Falcons will be better than last year (which in all fairness was doomed by freak injuries than anything else). But with the Saints expected to be one of the best teams in the league next season and the Bucs likely to overachieve, I don't like their chances of a playoff berth.
Predicted Record: 7-9, 3rd
Carolina Panthers
Pros: The defense is still one of the top units in the league.
Cons: Cam Newton has been hobbled by an ankle injury and has no familiarity with his new receivers (which means all of the Panthers' receivers). The offensive line is also likely to be bad. Man, this is going to be a depressing year of offense in Charlotte.
Overall: A stout defense but poor offense will place the Panthers in the NFC South basement.
Predicted Record: 6-10, 4th
New Orleans Saints
Pros: There's a lot of upside to the Saints. Beyond Drew Brees being awesome, the Saints' defense was one of the most pleasant surprises from last year. This team could be scary good.
Cons: The defense is definitely still the weak link of the team overall. And as always, the team will likely struggle in the open air.
Overall: The Saints are good enough to legitimately contend for a Super Bowl. Winning the division seems like a formality (probably not a wise thing to say in early September). If they get one of the top two seeds, they could go all the way.
Predicted Record: 13-3, 1st
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pros: Lovie Smith is a significantly better coach than Greg Schiano. If he can't turn this defense around, no one can.
Cons: The offense reminds me of the Lovie-era Bears teams, which is not a good thing.
Overall: A conservative offense and a likely rejuvenated defense will both be interesting to see. I don't know if it will translate into tangible success, but the Bucs are at least intriguing.
Predicted Record: 8-8, 2nd
***
Off to the West Coast to knock off the last two divisions. See you then.
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