NFC South: A League of Their Own

The youngest division in the NFL is quickly becoming the league's most surprising and most competitive.  The NFC South, which has only been around since 2002 when the NFL expanded to 32 teams, is becoming the premier division in the NFL. 

There will always be those that disagree, with claims that the NFC East is the most dominant.  However, here's the truth, the NFC East just seems more dominant because it gets all the coverage, they are four big market teams (Washington, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia) and NFL Live would perish without them. 

There is one reason for this drastic change of dominance: the youth movement of the NFC South. 

The influx of good/great young players from all four teams is and has been incredible.  It started with Reggie Bush going to New Orleans as well as the steal of that '06 draft, Marques Colston, through to Carolina with DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Jon Beason to name a few, and Aqib Talib for the Bucs (who miraculously do not fit this category because they somehow manage to win with nothing but older vets...Jeff Garcia? Joey Galloway? Really?). 

Let's not forget the main reason why this division is so competitive, the Atlanta Falcons.  After Vick-ergate, everyone wrote Atlanta off, everyone.  Matt Ryan is to Atlanta, as Lebron James is to Cleveland or Larry Bird to Boston.  Jonathan Babineaux and Jammal Anderson also fit this category of youthful exuberance as well, not to the extent of Ryan, but they keep opposing offenses honest at the line of scrimmage.

With Ryan and the Falcons getting better each week (which was always amazing because didn't Vick have the exact same core of receivers, who "couldn't catch?"), the Panthers getting back to their roots of smash and dash, the Bucs with their seemingly suffocating defense every year, and the Saints ability to put up 40 points on a regular basis, this division is a whirlwind of expectations and exhilarating football. 

The Panthers are at a major disadvantage in this division however.  They are so unwilling to take a chance or "rock the boat" that it is starting to cripple them as a franchise.  The Saints, Bucs, and Falcons all made off-season acquisitions to suit them and make their teams better. 

The Panthers had no such luck, no trades, no inquiries, and they traded yet another first-rounder (which ought to tell one how insecure Fox and Hurney are with their jobs, "win now because we may not be here for that pick next year).  

The Panthers should still be able to make the playoffs in the wild card spot.  Although history suggest that this going to be a losing season (after every season of .500 or better, the Panthers finished 7-9 except 2006 when they went 8-8). 

However, I believe they are on the right track as long as they run the ball and the defense plays the way it is capable of playing, and this all lies in the hands of John Fox.  With the Panthers linebacking core he has to blitz, the corners are good enough to play man, and they need to control the clock and run, run, bomb to steve smith, run. 

It's up to him and it is his to lose.  If Fox messes up like he did at the B.O.A. (pronounced BOA, yes, like the snake) against the Cardinals and gives the ball to Delhomme, then he will be out the door and Billy Cowher can come step in and right the ship. 

This division was stacked last year and don't be surprised if every team splits games with their division rivals.  I predict it comes down to how the teams fair against the AFC/NFC Easts'.  The NFC south is too unpredictable. 

The Saints can score 40 but they give up 45, the Bucs appear old at times and at others a team to be reckoned with, the Panthers are too conservative and Fox should be stripped of any play calling duties immediately. 

That's why I predict the Atlanta Falcons will win the division in 2009-2010.  It's going to come down to the final week again, like it always does.  Remember last year when the Bucs lost to the Raiders in week 17 and that allowed Atlanta a playoff birth?  Well there is going to be a lot more of that.  Here's how I see the rest of the division playing out:

Atlanta Falcons - 11-5: Ryan's progress, Turner having another big year, defense

Carolina Panthers - 10-6: Fox's play calling and giving the game to Jake instead of running, will Peppers take plays or hurt them by staying or will he even be there?, tough schedule

New Orleans - 9-7: If Jenkins works out this may be different but their D is still the question with this team

Tampa Bay - 9-7: New coach, no real play maker, QB spot in question