2015 NFL Season Predictions: NFC South

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1st Place- Carolina Panthers (9-7)

The Carolina Panthers will once again take home the NFC South crown with a less than stellar record. The NFC South just isn’t good, and the Panthers will take advantage of that. The NFC South has gotten better since last season though, and that includes Carolina.

The Panthers have one of the best defenses in the entire NFL. Luke Kuechly and Star Lotulelei is leading their incredible front seven. Both are still young enough that they could even get even better this season. That is a terrifying thought.

Josh Norman and Bene Benwikere make up an incredibly underrated secondary as well. Despite being moderately unheard of, Norman and Benwikere led the Panthers to the 11th ranked spot in terms of passing yards allowed per game. As they are both still young, there is sure to be improvement.

Carolina’s offense has always been a big question mark. Their offensive line has never been able to give Cam Newton the amount of protection that he needs to reach his potential. This lack of protection has also led to Newton getting sacked more times than any quarterback should. A lack of weapons on offense has also been a problem. However, the Panthers have drafted Devin Funchess and signed Michael Oher, so their offense could see a slight improvement this season as well.

2nd Place- Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

The Falcons have so much offensive talent; they just need to put it together. Like much of the NFC South, they have some gaping problems but they figure to see some improvement this season.

The Falcons have one of the NFL’s best receivers in Julio Jones. They also have a very good quarterback in Matt Ryan. The Falcons’ biggest problem is their offensive line. Ryan isn’t given enough time to step back and launch the ball deep to Jones when pass rushers are in his face after two seconds.

The offensive line is also unable to create big enough holes to help out the Falcons’ explosive young running backs. Rookie back Tevin Coleman joins Devonta Freeman in the Falcons backfield. Both are very explosive runners with potential to do damage. Despite the offensive line’s woes, the offense figures to be decently effective due to their pure skill.

Atlanta’s defense has issues in the front seven as well. They lack depth on the defensive line as well as in their linebacking corps. They lost veteran leader Sean Weatherspoon this offseason to the Arizona Cardinals and that will lead to problems with their run stopping ability.

The Falcons’ 28th ranked pass defense figures to remain below average. Though young star Desmond Trufant figures to take another step forward alongside talented rookie Jalen Collins, they still lack depth.

3rd Place- New Orleans Saints (6-10)

The New Orleans Saints are on the decline currently. Drew Brees is still one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks, but his talent alone can’t lead the Saints to a winning record. Brees lost his primary target in Jimmy Graham and lost another quality receiver in Kenny Stills. The Saints offense will be more reliant on Brandin Cooks and their running backs.

The Saints offense won’t be what hurts them the most. They have the offense to at least go 8-8 in the NFC South. Their defense will be their downfall.

Former Saint Junior Gallette was their only semblance of a pass rush and they cut him following attitude concerns.

Their secondary is starting to gain some depth following the acquisitions of Brandon Browner and Delvin Breaux, but it’s still below average at best.

The Saints just don’t excel in any areas. In the past, their offense has been high scoring enough to hide their defensive deficiencies. But now even that is a shell of it’s former self.

The Panthers defense will be able to contain the Saints’ offense and the Falcons will be able to smoke the Saints’ defense. Saints fans will need to wait a few years to return to their former glory.

4th Place- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

The Buccaneers are a team who won’t be as upset about having a losing record as the other teams in this division. Lovie Smith and co are essentially resetting the franchise to build around Mike Evans and Jameis Winston. They won’t be a good team from the beginning, but that’s expected.

Winston and Evans form a solid offensive tandem, but some more big names must be added around them. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson is currently 32-years-old and his production has decreased each year since his first season in Tampa Bay.

He is still a quality receiver though. If Doug Martin can return to his rookie self then he could turn into a dangerous back for the Buccaneers.

The Bucs could also use some more offensive lineman. Besides rookie Ali Marpet, there’s not a whole lot of potential along that offensive line. If Winston is to develop to his full potential, he will need time to make throws in the pocket. Getting hit too often and too early has been known to stunt the growth of many young quarterbacks.

In terms of defense, the Bucs are off to a good start. Between Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David and Alterraun Verner, the Bucs have plenty of talent. If they can find some good pieces to fit with their stars, their defense could rival for the Panthers’ for the best in the NFC South.