2016 NFC South Preview

(photo credit: betlabssports.com)

The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South in 2015 with the best record in the league at 15-1. The second place team, the Atlanta Falcons, finished the season with an 8-8 record after starting the season 6-1. The New Orleans Saints finished the season 7-9 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 6-10.

Will see see more of the same from the NFC South in 2016?

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were one pass away from a 16-0 regular season. Now, they will have the same season, but now, they will have their star receiver in Kelvin Benjamin. He missed the entire 2015 with a torn ACL. The Panthers are looking like they can take that extra step. 

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons had a big collapse in 2015. They started the season 5-0 and 6-1, but then went on to finish the season with an 8-8 record and they missed the playoffs. As if things couldn't get worse, the Falcons then got rid of their all-time leading receiver in Roddy White. The Falcons can either finish what they started in 2015 or fall apart all together. 

New Orleans Saints 

Drew Brees makes plays with no name receivers. Still, he and the team have had their struggles. They have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. Competing with the Panthers, it looks like that will expand to three. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers got Jameis Winston with the #1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Still, they were only 6-10 in Winston's rookie season in 2015 and were a penalty flag from a 5-11 season. That doesn't say much for the Bucs and it doesn't look like it will change.

Projected standings

1. Carolina Panthers

2. New Orleans Saints

3. Atlanta Falcons

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers