(Photo by Jarrett Baker/Getty Images)
If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have any shot at playing football in late January they are going to have to win games within their division. Hoping to win five or more games against the NFC East and the AFC East is not likely. The only problem is, the NFC South is also one of the deepest divisions in the league.
The Atlanta Falcons made a solid bid at being the sixth consecutive team in the NFC South to go from worst to first. The bid fell one win shy but still had an unfathomable 11-5 record with rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. Now looking to 2009 it looks like the Falcons just got better.
Last season Matt Ryan’s options at tight end were limited. Justin Peelle led Atlanta tight ends with 15 receptions. Needless to say that total will increase. When you add the most prolific pass catching tight end in NFL history in Tony Gonzalez it will just make the Falcons better.
The 2009 out look for the Falcons will depend on two things; Matt Ryan’s continued progression and their team defense. They allowed a ton of yards but held strong in the red zone last season. If they can keep opponents kicking field goals instead of extra points they can repeat last season’s success.
Key 2008 Statistics
24.4 points per game (10th in NFL)
152.7 average rushing yards (Second in NFL)
348.2 yards allowed per game (24th in NFL)
127.9 average rushing yards allowed (25th in NFL)
It looked like the Panthers were going to the Super Bowl. They had home field advantage throughout the playoffs once top seeded New York fell to Philadelphia. Then Jake Delhomme had one of the worst performances in his career against the Arizona Cardinals. A 12-4 season was wasted and the Panthers are now looking to repeat as division champions.
If the Carolina Panthers could some how keep star defensive end Julius Peppers happy for the season they could have a shot at repeating. They will need Peppers to stay healthy and motivated because when he is, he is one of the top five defensive ends in the league.
Just like almost every team in the NFC South, the Panthers biggest flaw is stopping the rush. Their only addition on the defensive line was a third round pick in Corey Ivy. They must be praying that Maake Kemoeatu is going to come back healthy because without him the secondary will be chasing down a lot of running backs this season.
Key 2008 Statistics
25.9 points per game (Seventh in NFL)
152.3 average rushing yards (Third in NFL)
20.6 average points allowed (12th in NFL)
119.5 average rushing yards allowed (20th in NFL)
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