For back to back years, Jeff Garcia took different teams to the playoffs. Last year, it was the NFC South Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Garcia and company will look to repeat as division champs, but it won't be easy this year with the Saints. It should be a competitive race for the NFC South crown this season.
In order of projected finish:
1. New Orleans Saints: Deuce McAllister is healthy, and with Reggie Bush a year older, this Saints dynamic duo in the backfield is going to bruise some opponents. With Deuce's strength and power, and Reggie's versatility, it will be hard for opposing defenses to stop them this season. Last year, the Saints struggled after Deuce went down early in the season. But as the season came to a close, the team started playing as they did in 2006. If Drew Brees can bring that same level of play he brought at the end of the season and in 2006, this team will be back on top of the NFC South again.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs had a great season last year, and finished much better than most expected them too. Although their playoff run ended short, they accomplished a lot last season thanks to the leadership of Jeff Garcia. Unfortunately though, this team won't have enough to capture the crown of the NFC South this year now that the Saints are healthy. This team won't let the Saints have the division easily, but they will be fighting for a wild card spot and not the division come the end of the season.
3. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers are a solid team this year, and with a little bit of help at quarterback, they could be something special. Delhomme is too old and has lost his touch, and until this team can find a good enough replacement, they won't be seeing any postseason games on their schedule. They also will have to find a new #1 receiver for the first two weeks, because Steve Smith will be sitting out after being suspended by the team for getting in a fight in training camp. This won't be a good year for the Panthers, who despite having a good defense, don't have what it takes to be a playoff team in the NFC anymore.
4. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are too young. A rookie starting quarterback. A running back who is getting his first #1 gig of his career. And an inexperienced coach all add up to an unsuccessful season. In a few years, this team will be on top of the division, but for now, they will ride the wave of failure. It will be fun seeing Matt Ryan play as a rookie this season, but odds are he won't finish the season as a starter. Another interesting thing to see will be how Michael Turner does out of LT's shadow. If he can perform well, this team will have a bright future.
Projected Final Records:
New Orleans Saints (10-6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Carolina Panthers (7-9)
Atlanta Falcons (4-12)
Comments