Sean Higgs on the NFC South

New Orleans Saints – Take the Super Bowl Champs here to repeat as NFC South Champions. Can’t get any better than last year’s run. Everyone loves the Drew Brees led offense, but the key to their winning is what DC Gregg Williams brings to the defense. This guy fielded great defensive teams when in Washington and turned the Saints into a solid bunch in a hurry. They will take bigger steps to improve in year 2 of his schemes. They are now the hunted. Let’s see how they respond.

Atlanta Falcons – I am calling for the Falcons to win 11 games this season. This team is ready to take that next step. QB Matt Ryan has multiple weapons in WRs Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, TE Tony Gonzalez a pair of RBs in Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood who are game breakers. The defense is shaping into a formidable unit. It would not surprise me to see this team playing deep into the playoffs.

Carolina Panthers- This bunch was 8-8 last year, but I am calling for a bit of a step back to perhaps a 6-10 record. They have a pair of explosive RBs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. HC John Fox usually thrives in the underdog role, but with either QB Matt Moore or rookie Jimmy Claussen leading the offense, it will be a long year. To add insult to injury, he is in the last year of his contract. The defense is facing a major overhaul as its leader, Julius Peppers took the cash in Chicago. The Panthers lost 3 of their 4 starting D-lineman from last year. Rebuilding is usually not pretty but they have some solid pieces in place.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tampa is off a 3-13 season and should improve in year 2 of the Raheem Morris era. Morris did a decent job with the defense and should continue to make strides on that side of the ball. QB Josh Freeman is now entering his second year and will be better. They have a some winnable games early home vs the Browns and Steelers and a road game vs the Panthers, this team should get to 3 wins again. But, the people of Tampa know that it will take some time to get respectable again.

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