NFL Division Previews: NFC South

 


We're rapidly approaching the 2023 NFL Season, which means it's time for some previews. I'm going to be looking at each division, one-by-one, continuing today with the NFC South. Let's dive in.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
2022 Record: 8-9, First in the NFC South. Lost in the Wild Card
2023 Outlook: The Buccaneers won their division last year, but it wasn't pretty. Even with Tom Brady, the team finished 8-9 and limped into the playoffs. Brady is gone now and Baker Mayfield is in. The Buccaneers still have some good roster pieces but also still have plenty of issues to overcome. The NFC South figures to be a weaker division, so if things break right the Buccaneers could again make the playoffs. But that depends on which Mayfield we see.
2023 Prediction: I think the Buccaneers will be competitive, but a six-to-eight win season feels right.

Carolina Panthers:
2022 Record: 7-10, Second in the NFC South
2023 Outlook: The Panthers started bad in 2022, so bad you might not realize that they finished as the No. 2 team in the division. In this year is coach Frank Reich and the No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young. The Panthers have some pieces in place, including new running back Miles Sanders, to make some strides. But are they a lot better than the seven-win team from a year ago? That's the question. How quickly can Young develop, and how can the team work to overcome its somewhat makeshift receiver group. There's potential for the future but that future might not be in 2023.
2023 Prediction: I think the Panthers are also a six-to-eight win team.

New Orleans Saints:
2022 Record: 7-10, Third in the NFC South
2023 Outlook: The Saints moved to get veteran Derek Carr this off-season, giving them some stability at that position. Is it enough? There's still questions about Alvin Kamara, who is likely due a suspension. The Saints have the pieces to compete, but it will depend on how the offense comes together. Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller add depth at running back, while the hope is Michael Thomas will be able to come back healthy.
2023 Prediction: The Saints are another team that's hard to read. They could finish in the playoffs, but I think their range is five-to-nine wins.

Atlanta Falcons:
2022 Record: 7-10, Fourth in the NFC South
2023 Outlook: The Falcons started strong in 2022 but faded down the stretch. The team added Bijan Robinson, giving them a trio of First Round picks in Robinson, receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. That's a lot of offensive firepower for new quarterback Desmond Ridder. The development of the offense will be key, while the team added pieces on defense to make them more competitive. Can the Falcons get it together this season?
2023 Prediction: The range for the Falcons is about the same, six-to-nine wins. However, I feel like this is the team that will emerge. They're my pick for the playoffs.

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