NFL 2023: NFC South Breakdown

The 2023 NFL season is around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to take a look at how each team will potentially shape up this season. 

We continue with the NFC South.

BetMGM NFC South Best Bets: Falcons Div Winner (+240), Top 2 – Falcons (-165), Dual – Falcons/Saints (+155)

Atlanta Falcons

Season Recap: The Falcons finished last in their division last season and second season under head coach Arthur Smith. The team matched their 7-10 record from the season prior and failed to qualify for the playoffs. For the first time since 2007, former QB Matt Ryan was not on the roster because he was traded to the Colts and replaced him with Marcus Mariota, reuniting with Smith.

Offseason: Matthew Bergeron is noted to start at left guard and transition to tackle in the future. Bergeron surrendered 24 combined pressures in the last two seasons for Syracuse. The Falcons also signed Jessie Bates III, lost WR Olamide Zacchaeus and LB Rashaan Evans in addition to QB Taylor Heinicke.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Make

New Orleans Saints

Season Recap: This was the Saints’ first season with head coach Dennis Allen after long-time head coach Sean Payton announced his retirement in January 2022. The team failed to improve from its prior season’s 9-8 record. After Week 13, the team had their first losing season since 2016. They were eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive season and the first time the team missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since missing the playoffs between 2014-2016.

Offseason: The Saints made a lot of moves in the offseason, including signing Derek Carr. They did not have an impressive offseason, so it’s hard to judge how these moves will help the team next season.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Miss

Carolina Panthers

Season Recap: This was the third and final season with Matt Rhule as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, who finished second in their division. After a 1-4 start, the Panthers fired Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow. Rhule was replaced by defensive passing game coordinator Steve Wilks, who was the interim head coach for the rest of the season. After a win against the Lions in Week 16, the Panthers improved on their five win total from the last three seasons. They were ultimately eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth year when they lost to the Buccaneers the following week.

Offseason: The Panthers made a lot of moves that could either be a hit or a miss. They signed RB Miles Sanders, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, WR DJ Chark and Adam Thielen and S Vonn Bell. They also brought in QB Andy Dalton. With all those moves, the Panthers also released C Pat Elflein.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Miss

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Season Recap: The Buccaneers underwent major moves but still managed to win the division title in consecutive seasons. This was the first season under head coach Todd Bowles. Before (and after) their season, QB Tom Brady retired from the team. After his first retirement announcement, he returned for one final season. Former head coach Bruce Arians retired from coaching and became the Senior Football Consultant, when Bowles stepped up. The Bucs entered the 2022 season defending their division title. After a rocky season, they managed to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a losing record, the only losing season throughout Brady’s career as a starter.

Offseason: Brady and Arians retired where Bowles stepped up. The team also fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and released RB Leonard Fournette and TE Cameron Brate. These are some questionable offseason moves so there’s a lot of uncertainty how the team will do next season.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Miss

Division Winner Prediction: Falcons

The Falcons feel like the only team in this questionable division with a promising future. One of these teams has to win the division, and the Falcons made the least amount of questionable moves. The Saints could be next up given the next best head coaching experience.