Are the Carolina Panthers the team to beat this year? Well in my opinion I think the Panthers will win the Superbowl every year, but I have to realize that they haven't had a decent running game since their Superbowl run with Foster and Davis as their running backs. The panthers have one of the easiest schedule in the NFL this year, which means they should easily win 10 plus games if healthy. Jake Delhomme should be back to his normal form again, or if does go down again Matt Moore is a very solid backup. Now this year the panthers have a very solid receiving core once Steve Smith returns from his two games suspension, with help from Muhammad, and Hackett. The running game has always been an issue, if you look at Carolina's history they had never had a solid running game. This year should be the year of change with D.Williams and J.Stewart running the show. Both are very sold running backs with great agility and speed. Now lets talk about defense, well I don't know whats going on with the defense. On paper they are a top five defense in the NFL, but I guess its just bad coaching or they have too many young players with great skills but no chemistry. This should be a make or break year for John Fox and his panthers, as they have missed the playoffs in the previous couple of seasons.

My predictions

NFC SOUTH

1. Carolina Panthers 11-5

2. New Orleans Saints 10-6

3. Tampa Bay Bucs 8-8

4. Atlanta Falcons 4-12