The division many considered the best in football last season, one that produced three playoff teams, doesn't appear to have lost much of its strength for 2018. But the talent in the NFC South is potent enough for all four teams to cannibalize each other as the season progresses.
The secret sauce in the division is not much of a secret — great quarterback play defines the group. That's part of the reason the Saints are SN's favorites to repeat as champions. Not only does New Orleans have the best quarterback in the NFC South, but it has arguably the best secondary.
Based on picks and predictions for the entire 2018 NFL season, here is SN's outlook for the NFC South.
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AFC: East | West | North | South
NFC: East | West | North | South
NFC South: 2018 predictions
New Orleans Saints
When the Saints traded up for defensive end Marcus Davenport in the first round of the draft, they sent a clear message: New Orleans is ready to make a Super Bowl run; its offseason would be about adding depth to an already stellar roster. The Saints are the most complete team in the division, if not the NFL. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton are set up for another trip to the playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons might not have been worried about quarterback Matt Ryan bouncing back from a ho-hum 2017 season compared to his MVP performance the year prior, but the team secured a better chance for his success when it drafted wide receiver Calvin Ridley in the first round. With a young, aggressive defense complimenting a still-potent offense, Atlanta isn't going anywhere anytime soon as a contender.
Carolina Panthers
Another season, more change in Carolina. Yes, the Panthers are employing their third defensive coordinator in three years, but the new offensive staff will be under the spotlight in 2018. Norv Turner is tasked with reviving Cam Newton as an MVP-caliber quarterback. The veteran coordinator also needs to squeeze production out of a backfield that includes Christian McCaffrey and C.J. Anderson. Per usual, the presence of Luke Kuechly on defense alleviates concerns in the secondary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While Jameis Winston's three-game suspension to start the season is not ideal, the fact of the matter is Tampa Bay would not have been favored in any of its first three games, anyway. Coach Dirk Koetter is running out of time to get his team moving in the right direction in the standings. Some key additions on the defensive line will make the Bucs tough on that side of the ball. Offensively, especially considering Winston's issues, the Bucs could use a breakout rookie season from second-round RB Ronald Jones.
NFC South: 2018 picks
1. New Orleans Saints (13-3)
2. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
3. Carolina Panthers (8-8)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-15)
When looking through the 2018 NFL schedule, wins for the Saints are easy to find. The opposite can be said for the Buccaneers.
With New Orleans seemingly getting stronger and Carolina somewhat stagnant in transition, don't expect another three-team race like last season, when all three top NFC South teams finished within one game of each other. The Falcons will push the Saints, but the overall talent and depth in New Orleans is too strong.