I was not able to get to write the NFC South preview last night as I was busy, but now you'll get two previews combined into one with this South division preview in both conferences. Both of these conferences boast strong South divisions, with only one team from each conference having one really bad team, while all the rest could easily contend for the division crown. I'll start with the NFC and their South division, as I was going to do that division last night.
NFC South
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were so bad last season, they got the number one draft pick in April's draft. With that pick, they chose Heisman winner and national champion Cam Newton from Auburn. Newton has a tremendous work ethic, which will help him get better in the league, and prevent him from being a bust like JaMarcus Russell was for the Raiders. Carolina helped Newton out by getting a few veteran tight ends like Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen to help him find big targets. There is also a nice running game with the combination of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to help him. The defense should also be ok, as the Panthers re-signed their beast of a defensive end in Charles Johnson. So, while the Panthers made some good signings and they have a solid running game, this will be a year of growing pains for Newton and the Panthers.
Prediction: 5-11
Atlanta Falcons
Yes, this team is coming off a 13-3 season as well as a overall number one seed in the NFC. However, I believe in the young Bucs and how much the Saints practiced and got together during the lockout. I love what the Falcons did in the draft, moving up from the 27th overall pick to the sixth, where the Falcons selected Julio Jones, a big fast wide receiver from Alabama to compliment Roddy White on the other side. So, Matt Ryan has another wide receiver to go to. Plus, the Falcons are returning Michael Turner, who will get a little bit of a lighter workload due to Jones' selection and the Falcons selection of Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth round. The Falcons will also return a strong defense which includes dynamic pass rusher John Abraham as well as cover corner DeAngelo Hall, who is a great corner. But, as mentioned, I love the Saints and Bucs more.
Prediction: 9-7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As mentioned, I am loving the Bucs and their young quarterback, Josh Freeman. Must be why I picked him up in most of my fantasy leagues. Anyway, Freeman leads a very young Bucs team, which only has nine players with more than five years of NFL experience, according to their website. Freeman broke out last season, throwing for over 3,000 yards for the first time, and he can scramble around for the first down. Freeman also has a strong running game with second year back LeGarrette Blount, who also broke out running for over 1,000 yards. Plus, there is a very good group of receivers with Mike Williams, Kellen Winslow, and Arrelious Benn, who is good for fade routes, as he's 6'6". The wily veteran of the team is the unquestioned leader of the defense, Ronde Barber, who while he may have lost a step, he can still hit, and hit hard. Barber has a good corner on the other side of the field with Aqib Talib. Plus, both the corners can get plenty of turnovers due to their defensive line, which can aggravate quarterbacks into throwing bad balls. The Bucs defensive line is just a notch below the Lions, which is also really good. The Bucs defensive line boasts several high round draft picks, who are really good in Gerald McCoy, Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers. So, I am on the Bucs bandwagon.
Prediction: 11-5, wild card
New Orleans Saints
This team won the Super Bowl two seasons ago, and they very well could win it again this year in a loaded NFC. This team, like the Falcons, made a great trade in the draft, getting Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman winner to boost their running game, and take pressure off of Drew Brees. While Brees and the cast of receivers he has is still one of the best in the league, it's good to have a strong running game as well. Ingram, along with Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory should all combine for over 1,700 plus yards on the ground with Ingram getting close to 1,000 of that. The defense should also be great again, as they have been the past few seasons. So, overall, this team is looking great.
Prediction: 11-5, three seed.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans
The Titans last year were coming off a disappointing 8-8 season, and looked to follow the 2009 season with a playoff appearance in 2010, but things didn't turn out quite as planned. Jeff Fisher was fired after last season, which should be a help, as he was there for 16 seasons and never provided a Super Bowl win. Maybe Fisher's message was getting tuned out to the players. The Titans are looking at a rebuilding process, and they're hoping that Matt Hasselbeck can mentor Jake Locker for a year before Locker takes over. Tennessee is looking at a long season ahead, with the only two playmakers coming from Chris Johnson and Cortland Finnegan.
Prediction: 3-13
Houston Texans
Houston is one of those teams which most see as being on the brink of being a playoff team nearly every season, and this season is no different, as the Texans have the potential for being a playoff team, but won't live up to expectations, as they have a less than stellar defense. The Texans have some great offensive weapons with Arian Foster, who came out of nowhere to rush for nearly 2,000 yards last season along with perennial pro bowler Andre Johnson on the outside, and Matt Schaub as a good quarterback. But, as mentioned, I don't see this team having that good of a defense to keep up with most teams.
Prediction: 6-10
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has a solid team overall, but it won't get them anywhere. Jacksonville always seems like this 8-8 team which is stuck in neutral. Granted, they have some good pieces like Maurice Jones-Drew, Marcedes Lewis, and recent signing Paul Posluszny. But, they don't have the best chance of making the playoffs.
Prediction: 8-8
Indianapolis Colts
Now, this is all dependent on Peyton Manning being healthy and playing the majority of the year, as without Manning, this Colts team just seems lost. For those of you who don't know, Manning has had neck trouble throughout the offseason, and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's season opener against Houston. Manning is the one which runs this high octane offense and is the undisputed leader of the entire team. So, if Manning plays 12 games or more, the Colts will continue double digit victories, if he plays less than that, this entire division could be different.
Prediction: 10-6, fourth seed.
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