Who will win the NFC South?
Last year, the Carolina Panthers won the National Football League’s NFC South with a 7-8-1 record. It was only the second time in league history that a team has own its division with a losing record, with the Seattle Seahawks being the only other team to pull off the trick.
Coming into 2015, the Panthers are trying to win a third straight NFC South title, but the competition is getting stronger. Carolina failed to improve much throughout the offseason, but did keep some of its stars in town. Quarterback Cam Newton was given a massive $103.8 million extension, while outside linebacker Thomas Davis was also given a two-year extension. Unfortunately for Panthers fans, that was the end of the offseason excitement.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints continued to add talent. General manager Mickey Loomis made a massive deal with the Seattle Seahawks, trading All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham away for a first-round pick and center Max Unger. Unger anchors a new-look line that includes Andrus Peat, the team’s top selection. Loomis also used the pick he acquired from the Graham deal to take Stephone Anthony, who will replace Curtis Lofton.
New Orleans was also active in free agency, despite having almost no cap space. The Saints brought in running back C.J. Spiller to compliment Mark Ingram, who finally showed why he was a first round pick. Additionally, Loomis was able to sign cornerback Brandon Browner, giving Keenan Lewis a solid partner on the outside. With safety Jairus Byrd coming back form injury, New Orleans looks primed for a bounce-back campaign.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also pose a threat. Even though the team finished an NFL-worst 2-14, the Buccaneers have plenty of talent. After drafting quarterback Jameis Winston with the top-overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Tampa Bay suddenly boasts an offense which includes Winston, Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin. Few franchises can match that type of firepower.
The defense could be suspect, although it has a pair of studs in the front seven with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and middle linebacker Lavonte David. Both are perennial Pro Bowl material and give head coach Lovie Smith two fantastic building blocks.
The Atlanta Falcons are likely a year or two away after replacing head coach Mike Smith with Dan Quinn. The Falcons have great skill position players on offense with Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones, but the offensive line is terrible and the defense was the league’s worst last year. While a few signings were made and Quinn is a defensive coach, it would be a miracle to see this club stop teams on a consistent basis.
Carolina will be in the running for a three-peat, but the Saints and Buccaneers won’t make life easy.
