NFL fans, rejoice. The 2021 season is just on the horizon and we are now in the last month without football until March. Regardless of what team fans may root for, they remain optimistic that this is their year. Even the pessimistic fans are hopeful considering their team has yet to lose a game this season.
While there are a few questions left to be answered around the league, it’s never too early for bold predictions for each of the NFL’S eight divisions. Let’s continue with the NFC South.
Only Bright Spot in the ATL
New head coach Arthur Smith will likely bring the style of offense that he ran in Tennessee with the Titans. Trading Julio Jones to his former team was definitely a tell-tale sign of that. Aging quarterback Matt Ryan will throw the ball less than fans have grown accustomed to. Rookie Kyle Pitts will be the biggest benefactor of the run to set up the play-action style of Smith. The concern for this team comes defensively. Last season, they couldn’t hold a lead no matter how substantial, nor could they get a stop at crucial times. The unit will improve Dean Pees at the helm, though it will still be a liability.
Big Trouble in the Big Easy
Life without Drew Brees for the New Orleans Saints will look similar to what the New England Patriots’ offense looked like a season ago, their first without Tom Brady. Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston are tasked with following up a Hall of Fame quarterback, which in and of itself is never easy. Add to the transition the fact that receiver Michael Thomas could miss time as he recovers from an ill-timed surgery and the signal caller’s job will become that much harder.
Second Time’s a Charm
A year removed from signing Teddy Bridgewater to a contract, the Carolina Panthers traded for former New York Jets third overall pick Sam Darnold. Darnold, now reunited with Robby Anderson, will surprise his critics. The return of the dual-threat Christian McCaffrey will also help the Panthers become a playoff-caliber team. Even if the defense struggles, the offense will score enough points to win more games than they lose.
Hangover for the Champs
The Bucs will struggle out of the gate. The target that comes with being the defending champions will loom large all season. While they won’t suffer too many blowouts, they will find themselves in many tight, low-scoring games and come out of the losing end too often. Take the New York Giants on Monday Night in Week 11, for example. A close loss in a game like this would deliver a painful blow.
The Boldest Prediction of All
The reason that this division was saved for last in this eight-part series? It’s simple: the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, will not make the playoffs. Instead, the Sam Darnold-led Panthers will win the division while the Saints and Falcons struggle to get wins.
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