2015 NFL Season Preview
NFC South
Aug 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Well, well, well.
Welcome to the best division — I mean, worst division — in professional football.
The Carolina Panthers claimed the NFC South with a “playoff worthy” record of 7-8-1 by beating the Atlanta Falcons on the final game of the season.
It is the first time since the realignment of the divisions that the NFC South has had a repeat champion in consecutive years.
The Panthers, like the Packers, lost a huge part on offense.
Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL during mini camp.
Cam Newton got his money, now he needs to start throwing touchdowns.
It won’t come easy with an offense that no one thinks can score.
Bottom line on offense, let Cam be Cam! Let him use his feet when he needs, but Cam…please learn how to slide.
They easily have the best defense in that division, led by Luke Kuechly.
The New Orleans Saints struggled last year going 7-9.
Drew Brees did not have the best statistical year, but it was the defense that has been their enemy.
The Saints have ranked toward the bottom third in NFL defense over the last couple years.
With the departure of Jmmy Graham, Brandin Cooks and Mark Ingram will have to take control of the offense in order to win this division.
The Atlanta Falcons will bounce back.
I mean they were one win away from the NFC Title.
Julio Jones is primed to be the breakout guy the Falcons have wanted him to be for years.
Matt Ryan is great at home, almost unbeatable, but needs to improve on the road.
That has been the Achilles heel for the Falcons over the years.
They have a running back situation, but should lean heavily on Ryan’s arm and will be better this year.
The Buccaneers went 2-14, and got the number one pick in the draft.
They selected James Winston. Winston didn’t have to travel far coming from Florida State.
He has a lot of tall targets, Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins.
The biggest thing for a rookie QB is be patient and learn from your mistakes, because there will be mistakes.
Doug Martin, not healthy, will be a nice compliment to the passing game of the Bucs to improve this year.
The NFC South is a hard division in itself.
With the Panthers winning 7 games and earning a playoff spot, I definitely see the division getting better as a whole.
I still see the Carolina Panthers claiming a third title in a row, mostly because they have the best defense (and maybe a little because I’m a Panthers fan).
Next: NFC West