The NFC South division has been an fascinating one the previous few seasons. It definitely hasn’t been the most effective, but it surely certainly has been entertaining. The Buccaneers gained 4 straight NFC South crowns earlier than final 12 months’s collapse which allowed the Panthers to take over as the highest canine within the division. Tampa Bay is trying to bounce again and re-claim their crown however how do they stack as much as the opposite groups?
Don’t get me mistaken, I nonetheless have a variety of questions for this Bucs group. They’ve a brand new offensive coordinator, questions on an inconsistent quarterback, an overhauled protection and a head coach that might be on the new seat. Nonetheless, they nonetheless have a variety of expertise in lots of necessary areas. Their offensive line ought to nonetheless stay among the many league’s greatest, and I do imagine the protection can be at the very least barely higher in 2026.
Tampa Bay was truly nonetheless very near profitable the division in 2025 regardless of the collapse. They had been eradicated from playoff competition after the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints. Had New Orleans gained that recreation, the Bucs would have gained the tiebreaker over Carolina and brought the division.
With all of that in thoughts, I nonetheless have essentially the most confidence on this Bucs group out of the remainder of these groups regardless of the questions I should still have about them. They continue to be the highest group and I believe it’s cheap to anticipate them to win the division as soon as once more.
Final 12 months’s division winner finally ends up second right here, however I do suppose Carolina did some good issues this offseason. They spent large cash in an effort to enhance their protection, signing go rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd in free company. Each gamers had been among the many prime of their positions out there available on the market and to have the ability to land each is nice work by the Panthers entrance workplace.
My greatest concern with Carolina is the quarterback place. Bryce Younger has rebounded properly from what was trying like a possible finish to his Carolina tenure when he was benched in 2024 however has turn into a a lot better participant since then. Nonetheless, I’m simply undecided if he’s adequate to hold a group to the postseason 12 months in and 12 months out. Some might disagree and that’s okay, there are issues to love about Younger’s recreation, however there are additionally performs that have you ever questioning what he was considering. I don’t imagine Carolina’s offense can be pretty much as good as Tampa Bay’s all through the season, and I believe that could be the distinction.
This one was robust between the Falcons and Saints. I believe each of those groups are very shut however I gave the slight edge to Atlanta as a result of I’ve favored the route their protection has gone just lately. Regardless of James Pearce Jr’s off discipline points, they nonetheless have a variety of younger expertise on that aspect of the ball, and their 2025 draft class was one of many higher ones in all the league. Another excuse is their talent place gamers are superb. Bijan Robinson is arguably the most effective operating again within the NFL and Drake London is an excellent gifted broad receiver. Add in inconsistent however all the time harmful Kyle Pitts and that’s an thrilling group.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 17: Drake London #5 of the Atlanta Falcons and Bijan Robinson #7 have fun a landing in the course of the second quarter within the recreation towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Picture by Todd Kirkland/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
The query with Atlanta is well quarterback. They’ve essentially the most unstable scenario out of all of the NFC South groups and that’s principally as a result of they don’t know precisely who the man below middle for 2026 can be. They signed Tua Tagovailoa to compete with Michael Penix Jr this preseason. Penix Jr has proven flashes, and I nonetheless imagine there’s a good quarterback in there someplace, however he hasn’t fairly put it collectively but.
The 2026 Falcons might go so far as their quarterbacks will take them. In the event that they discover the fitting man to get the ball to their weapons, they might very nicely be proper there competing for the division title.
I imagine the Saints are slowly trending in the fitting route. Kellen Moore seems to be an excellent rent as head coach, and so they have some intriguing expertise. Quarterback Tyler Shough performed very well down the stretch to cap off a stable rookie season. If he continues to develop, the Saints offense will enhance much more with Chris Olave in addition to new additions like free agent signing Travis Etienne Jr and first spherical choose Jordyn Tyson.
As I discussed earlier, the Saints and the Falcons are tremendous shut, and I truthfully don’t suppose there’s a unhealthy group on this division. I simply suppose the Saints are in all probability nonetheless a 12 months away from actually threatening for the division.
What do you guys suppose? Who will win the division in 2026? Tell us within the feedback under!
