2007 NFC South Predictions & Season Preview
June 5, 2008
With our 2007 NFC South predictions we took into account how volatile the division has been in recent years, with each of these teams taking home the division in the last five years. We really think the Saints can put an end to that by repeating as division champs, but the Panthers are going to be right there with them, and you can’t really count out Atlanta or Tampa if things bounce their way. This division is one of our favorites to watch and bet on with our football picks, so stop by weekly and start cashing in with our experts.
First Place - 2007 New Orleans Saints Predictions - The Saints are bringing everyone but the aging Joe Horn from the best offense in the league, which tells us that they are going to be tough to beat again in 2007. Reggie Bush and Duece McAllister give the best 1-2 punch of any team in the league, and after drafting Antonio Pittman you can expect to see Sean Payton to find even more creative ways to get Bush the ball while not lining up in the backfield. On defense the team should be improved from the 11th place finish a year ago by adding Jason David from the Colts, plus Brian Simmons and Kevin Kaesiharn from the Bengals. It’s going to be a challenge for nay team to knock the Saints off the top of this division and they should compete for a Super Bowl title.
Second Place - 2007 Carolina Panthers Predictions - The Panthers were supposed to compete last season for the Super Bowl, but got off to an 0-2 start and never fully recovered, but what hurt them the most was losing four straight games in late October and early November. The team did almost nothing in the off-season thinking that they already have the tools to compete. They lost Keyshawn Johnson because they think Dewayne Jarrett is going to be ready right away. David Carr was the only big name acquisition and he most likely will take over if Jake Delhomme struggled like he did at times in key situations a year ago.
Third Place - 2007 Atlanta Falcons Predictions - The team lost Patrick Kerney and Matt Schaub and both should have an impact on the team. Kerney was a defensive team leader and a force at the end position, while Matt Schaub was one of the best backups in the game and Vick has missed time in each of his six seasons in the league. Joey Harrington was brought in to serve as his backup, but he’s proven he’s not a starter. Jamaal Anderson was a good pickup in the draft to replace Kerney and the team has a stable of draft picks which will have to step up right away, especially after losing Rod Coleman and Demorrio Williams to injury before the season even begins.
Fourth Place - 2007 Tampa Bay Bucs Predictions - The Bucs likely won’t be ready to compete for at least another season as they try to turn over the defense from the old to the new. Last year was the first season since 1996 that the Bucs didn’t finish in the top 10 in defense, and they couldn’t get to the opposing quarterback gathering only 25 sacks. The lack of pressure led the opposition to a incredibly high 91 passer rating. At quarterback Chris Simms going down killed them, so this year they went with overkill in signing Jeff Garcia and trading for Jake Plummer, who is still retired at this time. The team should be better than 3-13 this year, but winning the division is unlikely.