NFL Divisional Previews – 2012 NFC South Betting Breakdown
As the NFL season approaches the NFC South may be the most wide open one and I think every team, yes even the Panthers, have a legit shot to win the division. The Saints have Drew Brees back in the fold, but will their tumultuous off-season catch up with them?
The Falcons also have the offense, but can they win a big game for a change? The Bucs have the talent and need to forget about last season’s major disappointment and the Panthers have Cam Newton under center and he will have to have a stellar season for Carolina to make the playoffs.
NFC South Team Pages
Atlanta
Carolina
New Orleans
Tampa Bay
New Orleans Saints
Odds To Win NFC South +130
Odds To Win Super Bowl 18-1
While the Saints did re-sign Brees the whole bounty issue cost them dearly with head coach Sean Payton and defensive leader Jonathan Vilma for the season.
On top of that, but arguably the best guard in the NFL in Carl Nicks is not in a Tampa Bay Buccaneer uniform. Oh yeah, and Robert Meachum and his ability to stretch the field as one of Brees’ main targets will be missed. RB Mark Ingram needs to stay healthy and he and Darren Sproles will anchor the rushing attack.
While the Saints were not bad against the run last season their pass D struggled and this season there is a lot of pressure on the 2 new free agent LB’s in Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne. However, most of the record setting offense is back and if they can get over Bountygate they should be the favorites to win the NFC South.
Saints NFC South Prediction – I think the Saints will be a Super Bowl contender again and they will win the NFC South.
Atlanta Falcons
Odds To Win NFC South +140
Odds To Win Super Bowl 25-1
Once again the season of the Falcons will hinge on QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, and what could develop into the best WR duo in the league in Roddy White and Julio Jones. Also, Atlanta hopes they can squeeze another solid season from the ageless Tony Gonzalez. Bringing in CB Asante Samuel was a solid move, but there are still issues on the defensive side of the ball. However, if the pass defense can improve the Falcons will be a much better team.
Falcons NFC South Prediction – The Falcons will battle it out with the Saints for the division title, but they will not be able to keep up, as I see them finishing a game or so behind New Orleans.
However, I think they will snag one of the Wild Card spots. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Carolina Panthers
Odds To Win NFC South +450
Odds To Win Super Bowl 35-1
Cam Newton has to avoid the sophomore slump for the Panthers to have any chance to win the NFC South. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams should be a potent RB combo yet again and Steve Smith proved last season he still has a lot of gas left in his tank.
Little surprised the Panthers did not go out and get a legit WR in free agency and they waited to the 4th round to take a WR. On defense they drafted Luke Kuechly in the first round and he and Jon Beason may be one of the better younger LB duos in the league. Newton and the offense may have to light up the scoreboard, as their defense is still iffy.
Panthers NFC South Prediction – Newton will not have a sophomore slump, but with teams keying on him he will not put up huge numbers. I look for Carolina to finish around .500.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Odds To Win NFC South +1000
Odds To Win Super Bowl 75-1
The Bucs have to forget about last season and to do that they will need the 2010 Josh Freeman to show up and not the QB from last season where he had 16 TD and 22 INT. WR Mike Williams also has to rebound from his sophomore slump from last season and TE Dallas Clark takes over for the departed Kellen Winslow.
Picking up WR Vincent Jackson was a great move, so Freeman has no excuses since he has several legit targets. RB LeGarrette Blount was another Tampa Bay player that struggled last season and he and first round draft pick Doug Martin have to improve upon a rushing offense that ranked 30th in the league last season.
S Mark Barron was the first round pick, but their run defense ranked dead last in the league that season and that may hurt them again this season.
Bucs NFC South Prediction – I think the Bucs will rebound from last season and their offense will be solid, but their defense will kill them and they will also finish around .500.
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