Our NFC South Preview 2019 sees the New Orleans Saints as being the team to beat. Also, this NFC South Preview 2019 sees the Carolina Panthers as having the potential to upset the Saints’ applecart. In addition, we can’t rule out a run by the Atlanta Falcons. Of the four teams in the NFC South, the Saints certainly have the best offense and a much better defense than any of the three other teams. The Saints are perhaps the most stable of the four teams, as coach Sean Peyton has been at the helm for 12 seasons, Drew Brees continues to perform consistently, and both the running back and receiving units are solid. Here’s how we see the NFC South falling out in 2019.
NFC South Preview 2019 – Teams
Atlanta Falcons
Ever since they gave up the biggest lead in Super Bowl history, the Falcons have been on a downswing. QB Matt Ryan is a major talent and he’s got a fine group of receivers to toss to. This team’s O-line has been questionable, and although improved, they still need to bring it all together. The running game is questionable and could hamper this team’s chances of putting up a winning record. The linebacking group is the best part of the defense. On the D-side of the ball, our NFC South Preview 2019 finds that they must find consistency. Atlanta won just seven games last season.
Carolina Panthers
Can Cam Newton stay healthy and play consistently? That is the big question for this team. The fact is over the past four years, Newton has struggled to stay in the game. If he cannot play, and for the start of this season Newton is questionable, it means that the Panthers must turn to either second-year player Kyle Allen, who has precious little NFL experience, or rookie draft-pick Will Grier, who has no NFL experience. Dual-threat Christian McCaffrey is a productive workhorse. The defense is average in just about every area and will miss the leadership of LB Thomas Davis.
New Orleans Saints
Our NFC South Preview 2019 sees the Saints as, once again, taking the division for a third year running. Head coach Sean Peyton and this team should have been in last year’s Super Bowl, but the NFL refs swallowed their whistles and missed a major call that would have given the Saints the win the NFC title game. This is a team that won its division last season by six games. Brees is back and as solid as even and a lot is expected from dual-threat Alvin Kamara. Latavius Murray, formerly with the Riders and Vikings, offers depth at running back. On defense, this team has solid anchors on each unit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tamps Bay Bucs convinced head coach Bruce Arians to come out of retirement. Arians is optimistic about this team’s potential. He brings with him an entirely new coaching staff. Most of whom have worked with him in the past. Arians will try to get QB Jameis Winston to play up to his potential. From the receiving group, the Buccaneers lose DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries to free agency. Plus, the defense needs major work, especially in the secondary. Might a winning season be possible? We doubt it. Our NFC South Preview 2019 finds that this team needs more than one season to turn itself around.
NFC South Preview 2019 – Prediction
Please see our NFC South Preview 2019 order of finish projections below. We think that the Saints will, once again, win the South. However, the Panthers have the potential to spoil that. The Falcons are certainly a solid team, while the Bucs have a lot of holes.
