NFL Preseason: 10 Reasons the NFC South Is the Best Division in Football

Nowadays, the NFL is full of talent and parity, and the NFC South demonstrates this better than any other division in football. The NFC South is one of the toughest division in the whole NFL and has multiple teams that could easily make the playoffs.

The division is composed of the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

10. Emerging Young Stars

Matt Ryan, Josh Freeman, Roddy White, DeAngelo Williams and Mike Williams are just a few of the emerging young stars in the NFC South.This year expect the NFC South to have even more stars come about and make the Pro Bowl.

The NFC South is full of young talent who will only keep improving. These young stars make the NFC South one of the top divisions in the whole NFL.

9. The Atlanta Falcons Are the Reigning Regular Season NFC Champs

The Atlanta Falcons posted the best record in the NFC last season going 13-3, and I see this year as being no different. The Falcons made some huge moves by drafting Julio Jones and signing free agent Ray Edwards while they essentially lost no one.

Watch for the Falcons to be not only division champs, but also be playing in the Super Bowl this year.

8. Three of the Teams All Have a Chance at the Division Title

Very few divisions in the NFL have three teams that could potentially win the division and the ones that do, the teams are not the best caliber.

The NFC South has this with New Orleans, Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Literally all three teams in the division could win the division and the other two will probably take the wild card spots. It will be a crazy season down south.

7. An Improving Carolina Panthers Team

Last season, the Carolina Panthers were easily the worst team in the division as they were also the worst team in the NFL.

Fortunately for the NFC South, Carolina made some improvements that are expected to improve their win totals. I am not saying they will be great, but I am saying that they will be better.

6. The Addition of Key Players Through the Draft

The NFC South added some young talent, especially at skill positions. First, the Panthers selected quarterback Cam Newton with the intentions of starting him to open the season. We all saw what he did at Auburn, and many think that he can be one of the most effective quarterbacks in the NFL if he can figure out a way to combine his athleticism with the traditional way of playing the position.

Next, the Falcons drafted wide receiver Julio Jones, giving up most of their draft. He is expected to make an instant impact, adding to an already potent offense. Lastly, the Saints drafted running back Mark Ingram out of Alabama.

He could very well start for the team and will probably lead the team in rushing totals this year.

5. Underrated Fans

Now the NFC South does not have the traditional crazy fans that are in Pittsburgh, Oakland and Philly.  This being said, if you were to ask NFL players if they wanted to play an away playoff game in one of the two domes that are currently occupied by New Orleans and Atlanta, the answer would be a resounding "no."

These domes that these two teams play in are infinitely underrated and are extremely loud. These stadiums can pose huge threats for opposing teams come playoff time.

4. The Depth of the Division

The NFC South as a whole has depth that no other conference can compete with. The Falcons posted the top record in the NFC last year at 13-3. The Saints won a Super Bowl not too long ago and the Buccaneers have greatly improved over the past season.

Now no one expects much from the Panthers this year, but there is an expectation for Carolina to improve from a year ago.

3. Great Coaching

It is no secret that Sean Peyton is one of the best coaches in the NFL. Pair him up with former Coach of the Year Award winner Mike Smith out of Atlanta and up-and-coming Raheem Morris, and the NFC South has coaches that know what they are doing out on the field.

Outside of Belichick, Sean Peyton is considered by many to be the next best coach. Just look at the offensive production he has gotten out of his team these past years.

2. Top Young Quarterbacks

The NFC South is home to some of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. Drew Brees is considered to be a first tier quarterback up there with the likes of Manning, Brady and Rodgers. After this past season, Matt Ryan has shown that he at least deserves to be in the discussion about being a top tier quarterback in the NFL.

Josh Freeman has also stepped his game up dramatically from a year ago and is poised to have a breakout year. Pair these three guys up with overall first pick Cam Newton out of Auburn, and the NFC South is home of one of the top quarterback combinations in the whole NFL.

1. Simply, No Other Division Can Match Up with the NFC South

Take a look at other divisions around the NFL, and none of them have the sheer potential to have three teams in the playoffs like the NFC South does.

Sure, some other divisions have teams that can compete, but very seldom does three teams from one division make it to the NFL playoffs, and this could be one of those years where three from the South complete this challenge.