Another football season is upon us, and everyone’s record within the NFC South is back to 0-0. The New Orleans Saints are projected to repeat as division champions for a third consecutive season. However, history has shown us that a team that finished last place in the NFC South can rise to first place the following season. By far, the NFC South has some of the best players at the skill positions in the National Football League. Like other divisions in the league, the teams are well acquainted with each other in the NFC South. Saints Discussions analyzes which team posed the biggest threat to the Saints within the NFC South in 2019.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-11 record in 2018 (last place in the division)
In the first game of the 2018 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers knocked off the Saints 48-40 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Superdome. They started the season 2-0 but eventually came falling back to Earth after going 3-7 in their next eight ball games. After the year’s not living up to expectations, the front office decided to part ways with coach Dirk Koetter and hire Bruce Arians as their new head coach. The team also let critical players on defense, such as Kwon Alexander, pursue other ball clubs during free agency. After nine seasons, they released their emotional leader on defense Gerald McCoy.
The Bucs have given the Saints fits in previous matchups, but will their defense be able to slow them down in 2019? That’s one question new head coach Bruce Arians must address before the season begins. The Bucs may improve in the win column this season but could be swept in the two games they face the Saints.
Carolina Panthers: 7-9 record in 2018 (3rd place in the division)
Everyone knew the Carolina Panthers would be right on the heels of the New Orleans Saints for the NFC South crown in 2018. They started the season red-hot by going 6-2 in their first nine games, but the bottom would fall out soon for the Panthers.
The team finished the 2018 campaign with a disappointing 7-9 record and third place in the NFC South. To make things even worse, quarterback Cam Newton battled a nagging injury to his shoulder for most of the season. Newton underwent surgery on his injured shoulder to prepare for the 2019 campaign. To go along with that, the Panthers’ defense is going through a rebuild right now. Their case has been the cornerstone of their franchise for many years, but in 2019, it could be the Panthers’ downfall.
The Biggest Threat to the Saints Repeating as NFC South Champs Will be the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons: 7-9 record in 2019 (second place in the division)
After winning back-to-back seasons under head coach Dan Quinn, the Atlanta Falcons failed to live up to lofty expectations in 2018. The team decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and replaced him with a familiar face in former Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter. Their star running back, Devonta Freeman, returns to the backfield after a season-ending injury in 2018. T
The Falcons have the personnel on offense capable of doing severe damage to the Saints’ weak spot on defense, which is their secondary. I am referring to the opposite side of cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The Saints and the Falcons know each other very well. If the Black and Gold do not adequately address any issues within their secondary this season, the Falcons could dethrone them in the NFC South. Saints Discussions has just identified which team poses the biggest threat to the Saints within the NFC South.
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