NFC South Predictions 2009

The NFC South was tied with the AFC South and East for the best winning percentage in the NFL last season of .685.

This season I don't expect that trend to continue, but it's not because of the quality of the division dropping, if anything the NFC south has gained talent this offseason, but the NFC South will face this year the toughest schedule in the 2009 NFL season.

This is how I see things turning out.

No. 4 Buccaneers: Let's begin the rebuilding.

This will be a bad season to be a Buccaneers fan, loosing long time DC Monte Kiffin will hurt a lot more then the loss of Jon Gruden.

While how good Gruden's replacement, Raheem Morris, is remains to be seen, having to rebuild the Defense and retool the Offense can't be a good thing to have to work with when having the fifth toughest schedule of the 2009 NFL season.

The Bucs open with a Brutal eight-game stretch that includes opening against Dallas and finishing against the Patriots in London before they hit they're bye week and it really doesn't improve too much after that.

Final prediction: 4-12.

Grit your teeth and bear it Bucs fans it's going to be a long year.

No. 3 Saints: Can we get some Defense?

Saying the Saints have a good Offense is an understatement but, that wasn't they're problem last season.

The Saints went out and got themselves a new DC in Greg Williams who was previously the Jacksonville Jaguars DC, they also signed and drafter many defensive players this year, including notable players such as OSU stand-out, free safety Malcolm Jenkins, and four-time Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper.

So hopefully they're defense has improved.

The Saints have the easiest Schedule of all the teams in the NFCS this year, but that's still the 8th toughest Schedule of the 2009 season, plus while they did very good against teams outside of division opponents last year they had the worse division record in the NFCS of 2-4 and getting swept by the Carolina Panthers.

This team has the potential to do very well, but it's just potential until they do something.

Final Prediction: 8-8.

Offense continues to soar but Defense still has many remaining question that have not yet been answered.

No. 2 Panthers: Get Running.

The Panthers followed one of they're worse losses in Franchise history with maybe they're quietest offseason in team history.

The Panthers are now returning 21 of 22 starters now that Peppers has signed his tender, the lone starter not returning is Ken Lucas who was undoubtedly the weakest link on the Defense last season.

The team has a new Defensve Coordinator in Ron Meeks after previous Defensive Coordinator Mike Trgovac turned the team down on a extension, which was actually met with rejoicing by the fans because Trgovac has been a long time source of hate of the Panthers fan base.

The Fans current source of hate though is quarterback Jake Delhomme, and after his abysmal playoff performance you can't really blame them either, but this teams ultimate success this season will be based on Jake's play and the play of the defense.

Final Prediction: 10-6 Wlid Card spot

I was fighting between Carolina and Atlanta for the top spot, but no one has ever repeated as the NFCS Champions.

No. 1 Falcons: Will they finally get back to back winning seasons?

Will the 43-year drought end this season? I say maybe.

The Falcons have a very good Offense that just got better with the addition of future Hall Of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, I fully expect Turner and Ryan to continue on last years success and for the Falcons offense to continue to soar.

But like the Saints the Offense isn't the issue here, they let Kieth Brooking and Grady Jackson go last season, they're replacements Mike Peterson and Peria Jerry might not be much better if any leaving them weak up the center of they're defense, which can be an issue when facing Carolina.

None of the moves wow me, but Mike Smith already worked one miracle last season by taking the Falcons to the Playoffs, I expect them to continue the trend and return to the playoffs this season.

Final Prediction: 11-5 NFCS Champs

With the quarterback and running back combo that the Falcons have they will be contenders for a long time to come in the NFCS.