NFL Division Rankings: Part 3
NFC South
What if I told you Atlanta is not the #1 team in the NFC South. Or at least not in my eyes. In part 3 I will tell you why I believe it's not Atlanta at the top. Oh, and it isn't the Saints either.1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Boom goes the dynamite. Why are they #1? For starters, Atlanta wasn't last year, isn't this year, and won't be as good next year as people are thinking. Matt Ryan, an above average quarterback. Julio Jones, #1 target, not the greatest, but pretty darn good. Above average defense. What's Atlanta's problem? Too much hype. Honestly, if they had had to play each of the other top 16 teams last season, I truly believe they would've lost around 8 of those games. Now, the Buccaneers aren't the greatest team either, are they? Wait..... are they? Too be honest, going into last season not many people expected the Seahawks to come in with a rookie quarterback, whom they didn't draft till the 3rd round, and make as big of a statement as they did. Now some people have them at #1 in their rankings, and most have them in the top 5. Well, this year's sleeper team, obviously you've figured out by now, is Tampa Bay. The addition of Darrelle Revis bolsters the defense greatly and he's only 1 player. 2nd year running back Doug Martin "Muscle Hamster," or "Dougernaut," which he prefers, is an offensive weapon waiting to be let free. And the Bucs won't waste a moment before doing it. Josh Freeman is also not that bad of a quarterback. Trust me, they are not to be underestimated, watch this team this season.
Final Record: 10-6, NFC Divisional Playoff Round loss to Chicago, Doug Martin pro bowler, Darrelle Revis pro bowler
2. Atlanta Falcons
I think I pretty much summed up the reason the Atlanta Falcons aren't going to do well this year up above. I just apparently don't see it in them. Don't tell me, "oh but they almost went undefeated," so? What's your point? The Bears went about 8-8 or 9-7 the year after they went to the Super Bowl. The Falcons didn't even make it there.
Final Record: 9-7, NFC Wild Card loss to Green Bay, Julio Jones pro bowler
3. New Orleans Saints
Most of you are probably wondering about this too. Sean Payton is back, they'll do great. Wrong. Sean Payton is going to have no effect. Drew Brees, still Drew Brees, except slightly worse. New Orleans' problem? The loss of Aaron Kromer and the defense. Kromer was recruited to Chicago this past offseason to be the offensive coordinator under Marc Trestman. He was the previous Running Backs Coach, Offensive Line Coach, and interim head coach for the Saints. Yes, they will miss him that much. As for the defense, it's just going to collapse. No bounty program though, otherwise it would be one of the best in the league, because they'd all be trying to make some extra cash.
Final Record: 9-7, no playoffs, Brees pro bowler
4. Carolina Panthers
They're coming. But definitely not yet. Their time will be here, maybe not coming quickly, but soon. Cam Newton, is, the solution. Entering his 3rd season after going into what some may call a "sophomore slump" for the 1st half of last season, I believe Newton is primed to improve every season starting now. He has every right to do his Superman chest reveal after a touchdown. Because he is the future of the NFL. Just not at the moment. Notice how I said future.
Final Record: 8-8, no playoffs
Part 3, done and done. 3 down, 5 to go. Most of you probably don't like my rankings at this point. I'm a sports critic/ want to be a sports critic. It's my job. Point out the bad about the good, and the good about the bad.
