Way Too Early 2009 NFC South Predicitons

Wow, what a great season and terrible postseason for the NFC South. Who knew the Arizona Cardinals would be the Lex Luthor to their Supermen? Extremely early predictions for next season will now commence!

Next year will be extremely difficult for the division, as they will face the NFC and AFC East.

First place: Atlanta Falcons - 10-6 

Eleven of Atlanta's games will be against teams who had winning records this year. On the other hand, ATL management will have another offseason to work their magic on defense that they worked on offense this year. With Ryan a little more seasoned, and if Turner stays healthy, they should get their first back-to-back winning seasons in team history.

Second place - Carolina Panthers - 10-6

Five interceptions, ouch. Will next year be a downer after the playoff thrashing they took this year? I don't think so. The only thing they need is a QB. Unfortunately, Fox sounds like Delhomme will be his man next year.

Third Place - New Orleans Saints - 9-7

No QB controversy here. Drew Brees became only the second NFL signal caller to ever throw for 5,000 yards in a season. If Reggie Bush is back at full speed, the Saints will again light up scoreboards. Unfortunately, they will probably give up plenty of points again as well.

With coaches leaving and getting "relieved of their duty" (so long Ed Orgeron, adios Gary Gibbs) on a regular basis these days, NO will need to get some defense in the draft...But they have only four picks in the first seven rounds.

Fourth Place - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 6-10

Gruden doesn't seem to see the need for a franchise QB, like pretty much everyone else does. He reportedly wants Jeff Garcia, who will be 40 next year. It has been argued that the Bucs are getting old and this is why they fade down the stretch. Jon Gruden likes older players, so that isn't likely to change.