NFC South: The Best Division In Football?
Written By: NewBetterBucs07
Coming into the 2008 season, the NFC South was thought of as one of the weakest divisions in the NFL. No one feared any team in the NFC South. No one thought that there would be a Wild Card coming from it and the division winner would be one and done. The NFC South proved everyone wrong.
The NFC South was the best division in the NFL last year. They produced 2 playoff teams, had the best winning percentage of all the divisions, and had no teams below .500. The Panthers played great football the entire season and won the division with a 12-4 record. Because of their success, they got a 1st round bye in the playoffs. The Falcons came in 2nd with an 11-5 record, and shocked everyone. Most people had them as a top 5 pick in next year’s draft, but Matt Ryan turned the team around and got them the 1st Wild Card spot in the NFC. The Bucs finished in 3rd with a 9-7 record and ended the season on a horrible note. They were 9-3 going into week 13 and then got ran all over on MNF by the Panthers two-headed monster. The defense fell apart starting at that game and because of it, the Bucs missed the playoffs. The Saints finished in last with an 8-8 record and did not live up to their expectations. A lot of people had the Saints winning the NFC South because of their potent offense, but their defense just couldn’t play well enough.
NFC South teams had busy off-seasons. The Bucs had the busiest of them all. After their collapse to the end of the season, the Bucs lost Monte Kiffin because he wanted to go coach with his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee. A few weeks after that, the Bucs fired Head Coach Jon Gruden and GM Bruce Allen. The Bucs also cut many veterans like Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, and Cato June. Even though they did lose a lot, the Bucs also go some big names in the off-season, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Bucs traded for one of the elite TE’s in the game in Kellen Winslow. The Bucs also signed Derrick Ward who had a solid year with the Giants splitting carries with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. In the draft, the Bucs got Josh Freeman in the 1st round. Many people didn’t think he’d start right away, but right now the spot is open and he still has a good shot. The Bucs also did switch up a little defensively by signing Angelo Crowell and switching Jermaine Phillips from Safety to LB. Sabby Piscitelli will be replacing him at Safety.
The Falcons also had a busy off-season. They got rid of some veterans just like the Bucs did. They got rid of long time Falcon LB Keith Brooking, and safety Lawyer Milloy. The Falcons did replace Brooking with former Jags LB, Mike Peterson. Peterson is a solid LB and was a big part to the success Jacksonville’s defense had when he was there. The Falcons also made one of the biggest trades of the off-season by trading for Tony Gonzalez. This was an excellent move for the Falcons. Gonzalez is one of the best TE’s to ever play in the NFL and will give Matt Ryan another big target to throw to. He will really help out Matt Ryan and make the rest of the offense better. In the draft, the Falcons got Peria Jerry in the 1st round, who was the 2nd best DT in the draft.
The Saints didn’t do too much this off-season. They did, however, focus on improving their defense which was the weak link to their team last year. The Saints did this by bringing in a new defensive mind with Gregg Williams. Williams is thought of as a great DC and should help out the Saints defense. The Saints also improved their secondary over the off-season. They brought in CB, Jabari Greer, and drafted CB, Malcom Jenkins, out of OSU. These 2 players are solid additions and should help the Saints against the pass.
The Panthers had a very quiet off-season. Many thought that Julius Peppers wouldn’t be in a Panthers uniform after the draft, but he has in fact stayed with the Panthers. The Panthers won the NFC South last year, and obviously did not think that they needed to make many moves to contend for the division this year.
With all of these off-season moves, I see the NFC South finishing out differently. This is how I see it panning out:
1. Atlanta Falcons 10-6
2. New Orleans Saints 10-6
3. Carolina Panthers 9-7
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10
Good article. The NFC South and the AFC South divisions have been the best divisions in both conferences for some time now. The NFC South faces the high profile franchises in the East from both conferences this year.It will be interesting to see if the NFC South measures up to what appears to be very tough schedules.
-Be
Thanks man. Yea, I agree with you. I can’t wait to see how the NFC South does this year with some of the hardest shcedules in the league.
the saints made big improvements on the d n there o is already tops in the league. With Bush finally taking his job serious looks to break out.
I don’t know about Bush breaking out, his fans should hope he doen’t break down. NO has done a lot to revamp the D all QBs drooled over and with the all potent O, I think your projections might be dead on.
sh
“The Saints didn’t do too much this off-season.”
I beg to differ with this opinionated view of yours. I think you might ought to do a bit more research before you post in the future…
That’s just my opinion.
SJ, thanks for the comment. Yea, I don’t know if Bush will have a great rushing year, but he should be good catching balls out of the backfield. He has always been a good recieving back in the NFL. I think Pierre Thomas is going to be the guy who leads their rushing attack.
Derrick, the Saints did make some moves, but I don’t think they made any huge moves. I probably should have been more clear. They definately did improve their defense by addressing their secondary. They signed Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper which should help and also drafted Malcom Jenkins. Those 3 players should definately improve their defense. I also like Gregg Williams and think he is a good defensive mind. The Saints did make moves over the off-season, but not too much compared to other teams.
The hardest division in football? They have been for years? HAHAHAHA! That’s the funniest thing I have ever heard. Everyone knows that the NFC East is the hardest division. Before last year we sent 3 teams to the playoffs 4 years in a row. The only reason you say they have the hardest schedule this year is because there playing the NFC East this year. Try again.
Whoever said the NFC South was the best for years? I said they were thought of one of the worst divisions coming into last year and then last year they ended up having all their teams having at least a 8-8 record and sent 2 teams to the playoffs. They also had the best W-L record out of any division. So last year, they were the best. This year, I don’t know. That’s why I put the question mark at the end of the title. I agree with you, the NFC East has been the best division in the NFL for the past few years, but I think the NFC South is coming close with them.
how can u say that the AFC south has been up there w. the NFC south as best division for years Beusch comeon…we all know the NFC east is BY FAR the best division EVERY game is a rivalry in the division and heated when the NFC south teams played the NFC east teams last yr the East teams won every game…Giants beat Panthers, Eagles beat Falcons, Skins beat Saints, and Cowboys beat Bucs….the NFC south isnt in the same discussion as the east
Atlanta wins the division with no defense? They played offensive powerhouses like the Rams, Lions, Raiders, Chiefs, Bucs (twice), and Bears in 2008 and were by far the worst defense in the division. Now you think they’re going to face down the Patriots and the NFC East after ditching their veterans on D and get better?
Enjoy the kool-aid while it lasts…
daaaaaaboys, the NFC East teams did beat up on the NFC South teams, but all those games were home for the NFC East teams. I think the NFC East is better, but not by much.
i disagree beside that we beat up on the south last yr the biggest differences is how the East rivalries are compared to the south some of if not the best rivalries in football are all withing the NFC east and some of the oldest cant say the same about the south
I agree with you on that. Some of the best rivalries come from the NFC East. My dad is a Giants fan, so I know what you’re talking about.
yeah im a cowboys fan in NY so its all giants all the time but great rivalries cant beat em
Yea, lots of classic rivalries in the NFC East like Eagles-Giants, Cowboys-Redskins. All the teams seem to have rivalries with each other.
BTW, you post on the message boards here?
not really im new to the site just getting used to it i like it though u throw up some good posts
Ah, ok. Yea, you should check out the message boards. Lots of activity and football talk there too. Thanks man, you have been making good comments too.
I am a long standing Falcons fan living in Scotland. I did not get to see a great variety of games on TV over here in the UK.
What I do think is that although there are better offensive and defensive teams out there, more hard hitting teams in other divisions, there was no other division in NFL as well balanced as the NFC South.
The playing styles and the strengths and weaknesses of the NFC South teams complemented each other – this is why last season was so exciting and there was no clear winner right down to the last two weeks of the season.
Now to throw a line for the Falcons – there were a couple of games where they should have won. They were lost due to 1. poor management decisions in play calling and 2. a very bad refereeing call. Were it not for these two instances, I think Atlanta were the strongest team in the division last year and would have secured the 1st Round bye. Whether they make it to #1 in 2009 – well now, long is a length of rope????
why r the panthers underated?? we went 12-4 last year, we have the same line up as last year, with a few additions. we should b expecting more out of deangelo and j stew. just because of that cardinals loss, it doesnt mean were all of the sudden a bad team. carolina should be at the top of the nfc south again
I could honestly see it going any way. As my predictions state, I have the Panthers, Saints, and Falcons all seperated by 1 game. I think it is really up for grabs between those 3 teams.
taylor the nfc east stinks the giants are the only good team that you have the cowboys have choked for 13 years and the eagles are picked to go to the superbowl we’ll see THE REDSKINS ARE INADEQUATE. im thinking the nfc south has a great chance to go to watch TEAMS TO WATCH:ARIZONA, NEW ORLEANS,CAROLINA,ATLANTA,SEAHAWKS,MINNESOTA,PHILLY,AND CHICAGO
AFC:COLTS,PATS CHARGERS,RAVENS,STEELERS even though it is very hard to repeat,this is big HOUSTON,AND THE TITANS
Saying the NFC East stinks is just ignorant. Like I said earlier the East was 4-0 against the South last year. The Eagles Giants and Cowboys will ALL make a play for the NFC representitive in the Super Bowl. The Panthers are the only good team in the south if delhomme doesnt choke. The Falcons will not go under the radar this year and sneak up on everyone. The Bucs are going to be AWFUL terrible QB no matter who is their QB. And the Saints defense is so bad the NFC East will no doubt be the best division again. Best rivalries are in the division most physical games are within the east dont be a fool watch some football before you make ignorant statements.
um i study football thank you very much and for daaboys just remeber the last time we met SMASH!!!!! SO REMEMBER HOW BAD YOU WERE LAST YEAR AND THEN TALK TO ME 44-6 WHEN YOU HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO THE PLAYOFFS GET OUTTA MY FACE. THE EAGLES CHOKE IN BIG GAMES THE GIANTS ARE FLUKE SUPERBOWL WINNERS AND THE LOOK AT THE STEELERS TROPHY TO REMIND THEM OF THEIR LAST ONE IN THE 90′S THE NFC EAST ARE A BUNCH OF CHOKE ARTISTS GET A LIFE YOU BUM
IM SORRY I SHOULDA PUT COWBOYS DURING (LOOK AT STEELERS)
and remember the cowboys beating TB with brad johnson? and how the “bum” nfc east was 4-0 vs the nfc south….last time a team in the south won nething was 2002….44-6 is one game who are you kidding we have our 5 titles….which is more then all of the nfc south teams combined…the saints have been a joke of a franchise for there whole existence, the bucs have the longest losing streak in history and then beat the saints to snap it the panthers have never won a thing…and the falcons have never had 2 winning seasons in a row and only have 10 winning seasons all around while the nfc east has 11 super bowl trophies
i think the panthers win the division again. alot of people think they wont because of jake delhomme. jake is the reason they won it in the first place. without him they would have finished third maybe. hes a great qb no matter what anyone says
Fuck you cock head panthers won the nfc champion ship in 2003 and jake outplayed brady in the superbowl. dallas has choked in the playoffs for 13 years. redskins havent won anything in the past decade and the eagles cant ever win the superbowl much less the nfc championship
panthers=0 titles……Cowboys=5 titles…doesnt matter when matters how many
look all this stuff seems good and all, but it looks like to me that the saints have the best bet to win the division this year, jus my opinion
You could make a case for any team in the NFC South that they have the best bet to win the division. Saints definately have a good shot.
The saints will be the best team in the south. The offense will be good again if they stay away from injuries. One of the biggest offseason moves was gregg williams he will change this defense. Saints are one linebacker short of possibly being a real good defense. COWBOYS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An Aints fan saying the Cowboys suck? hahaha thats funny
Daaaaaboyss, you’re a fuckin retard.”doesnt matter when,matters how many” 13 years without playoffs is a while, i would have to say that matters.just because a team used to be good doesnt mean they still are
daa boys your gargbage the cowboys suck they will never EVER EVER EVER WIN A SUPERBOWL AGAIN. THOSE 5 TITLES MEAN NOTHING BECAUSE THE STEELERS HAVE SIX GET OFF MY DICK.
ALSO YOU STINK NO WR,NO QB,NO LINE AND THE DEFENSE ALWAYS WAS GARBAGE YOU GUYS CHOKE SO MUCH ITS FUNNY
(THOSE TITLES WERE ALSO IN THE 90′S) NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE 90′S
GO HOME AND STOP WATCHING SPORTSCENTER GET OFF THIS SITE
THE NFC SOUTH WILL ANNIHILATE THE COWBOYS
DAMN COWBOYS FAN TALKIN SMACK GOSHDARN SHAME WHAT THESE DAYS HAVE COME TOO.
Nfc East has been the best and it will repeat again this year!
Aall 4 teams have playoff calibers player on both sides of the ball, offense and defense!
Steelers have 6 and if it wasnt for the refs being on the steelers dick they would have maybe 3. No WR? Roy Williams is as good if not better then santonio holmes, and jason witten at TE best in the league no questions asked. No QB? Romo is in the top 5-7 every year in every statistic. hes still learing the ins and outs of being a QB and with a very good oline and a 3 headed monster at RB the Cowboys will be in the race dont doubt it for a second. And the defense was top 5 in the league last year and led the league in sacks with 59 so idk what your talking about. Oh and by the way four of the steelers titles were in the 70′s and “nobody cares about the 1970′s”………and falcons fan when was the last time the little birdies won a super bowl huh? oh never?….when the falcons have back 2 back winning season then come speak to me.
cowboys suck point blank period i hope you get scrasted this year by the garbagest teams so u can shut up
You sound like a small petulant child lol….”I hope you get scrasted by the garbagest teams so u can shut up” hahahaha real bright guy
i really think everyone is in for a pleasant surpise we are gonna be better than people are sayin… that 3, 4,5, win season stuff is crazy with k2,ward added to a line that pretty gud were ready to go…go bucs….
And no QB…an un proven defense with out brooks and ronde barber is now just a shell of his old self
Oh yeah and a BRAND NEW offensive coordinator a week before the season starts….thats got the making of an absolutely STELLAR team.
Nfc north now
Vikings got McNabb
Staffords finally healthy
Bears got to the Nfc championshiop game
Packers Repeat
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