NFL Preview 2019 – NFC South

NFL Preview 2019 – NFC South

This is going to be a significant season for the Saints.  After they lost a heart breaker to the RAM in the NFC Championship game the Saints have a lot to prove.   The Falcons and Panthers should both be alright this year.  The Buccaneers are going to be stuck in Buccaneer land.  The South really could get two teams in the playoffs this year.  The Falcons and the Saints are both looking to be strong teams this year.  The Panthers live and die with Cam.  If he gets hurt their season is pretty much over.  The Buccaneers will be like the Lions but with out Matt Stafford and with you Fitz Magic this season.

New Orleans Saints

This is really getting to the end of the Saints Window to win here.  Drew Brees is not going to be able to play for ever.  He is 40 and the number of quarterbacks that have been able to play at such a high level at that age is short.  Like really short.  At this point I would say that he probably has two more good seasons left in him.  The thing that will help him the most is having two of the best play makers in the league.  Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are both going to put up some huge numbers.  With two options like those two and the accuracy that Brees has the Saints Offense is going to get some yards and put up some points.  It is interesting that the Packers have Jimmy Graham the former Saints Tight End and the Saints have Jarred Cook the former Packers Tight End.  It will be interesting to see which of those has the better season. They both had pretty average seasons last year.

The Saints Defense really will not have to do a whole lot.  As long as they can stop the other team every third series they should be good.  The Saints are going to put up points.  What they need out of the defense is just not a lot of penalties and mistakes.

Saints Record 12 – 4

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons had a very disappointing season in 2018.  They finished 7 – 9 and out of the playoffs.  A lot of this can be contributed the the amount of injuries they had last season.  They really need Julio Jones to stay healthy and have a great season.  Matt Ryan needs to have another season like he did last year.  He passed for almost 5000 yards and only threw 7 interceptions.  Even with that the rest of the team could not get it done.  The Falcons are going to put up some points.  They are in a similar situation as the Saints.  The offense is going to be very good.  Can the defense stay healthy and not give away points.  If the Falcons can stay mostly healthy or at least not lose key players to injury for extended time. They should be able to contend for a playoff spot and possibly go deep in the playoffs.

Falcons Record 10 – 6

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers may have already passed their Cam Newton window to winning.  His body has taken a beating.  In the NFL no matter how big you are if you take a beating all the time it is going to catch up with you.  Saying that it is possible that Newton could stay mostly healthy this year.  I could see Christian McCaffery having 1000 yards rushing and 1000 yards receiving.  He is poised to put up some amazing numbers.  On the defensive side the Panthers really need Luke Kuechley to stay healthy and be on the field.  He is the leader of that defense and when he is not out there it really shows.  The Panthers could have a great season or just be a complete mess.

Panthers Record 9 – 7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are sticking with Jameis Winston for now. Only they know why they are doing that.  Winston has not panned out to be the top pick that Tampa Bay thought he would be.  Winston is a guy that has a boat load of talent.  As we know it takes more than talent to make it in the NFL.  It appears that he does not have the other things that it takes to make it.  I really do not see any way that the Buccaneers have a decent season this year.  They more than likely will come out of divisional play 1 – 5 or 2 – 4.  They are just not going to be able to compete with the Saints, Falcons and Panthers.

Buccaneers Record 6 – 10