Predicting the NFC South Standings in 2015: Pre-Training Camp Edition

Predicting the NFC South Standings in 2015: Pre-Training Camp Edition

By Bill Zimmerman

July 24, 2015

Predicting the NFC South Standings in 2015: Pre-Training Camp Edition

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints Atlanta Falcons — Many consider the NFC South a wide open division in 2015. The teams may not be the strongest the NFC has to offer, but it could be anyone's division to win. Who will finish in first? Here's a prediction for the 2015 NFC South standings.

Many consider the NFC South a wide open division in 2015. The teams may not be the strongest the NFC has to offer, but it could be anyone's division to win. Who will finish in first? Here's a prediction for the 2015 NFC South standings.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5-11

Lovie Smith Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 5-11

Lovie Smith Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jameis Winston may prove that he's going to be a great NFL QB one day, but it won't be as a rookie. The Bucs will improve overall, but Winston will struggle at times, especially without a consistent running game. Lovie Smith is out to prove he has this team going in the right direction, but 2016 is when this team should make a big leap. 2015 is a year too early.

Jameis Winston may prove that he's going to be a great NFL QB one day, but it won't be as a rookie. The Bucs will improve overall, but Winston will struggle at times, especially without a consistent running game. Lovie Smith is out to prove he has this team going in the right direction, but 2016 is when this team should make a big leap. 2015 is a year too early.

3. Atlanta Falcons, 7-9

Julio Jones Atlanta Falcons

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3. Atlanta Falcons, 7-9

Julio Jones Atlanta Falcons — With Matt Ryan and Julio Jones on offense, this team will always be able to score, but their horrible defense will be scored on more than the offense can keep up. Dan Quinn will improve the defensive unit, but this team isn't ready to get themselves back in the playoffs. Falcons fans should expect another sub .500 year from the birds.

With Matt Ryan and Julio Jones on offense, this team will always be able to score, but their horrible defense will be scored on more than the offense can keep up. Dan Quinn will improve the defensive unit, but this team isn't ready to get themselves back in the playoffs. Falcons fans should expect another sub .500 year from the birds.

2. New Orleans Saints, 8-8

Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints

2. New Orleans Saints, 8-8

Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints — For the Saints to be an elite team, their offense needs to be a top-three NFL unit. With Drew Brees showing signs of getting older last year and Jimmy Graham no longer on the field, that just isn't going to happen. Sean Payton is going to try a more balanced attack and CJ Spiller will be a nice addition, but the Saints will find that they are simply no more than average.

For the Saints to be an elite team, their offense needs to be a top-three NFL unit. With Drew Brees showing signs of getting older last year and Jimmy Graham no longer on the field, that just isn't going to happen. Sean Payton is going to try a more balanced attack and CJ Spiller will be a nice addition, but the Saints will find that they are simply no more than average.

1. Carolina Panthers, 10-6

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers

1. Carolina Panthers, 10-6

Cam Newton Carolina Panthers — The Panthers will again benefit from a weak division. Cam Newton must prove that he is worth the contract he just received, and with a developing Kelvin Benjamin, he may do just that. Riverboat Ron will have his team back in the postseason, but this team is far from ready to stake a claim that they belong among the NFC's elite.

The Panthers will again benefit from a weak division. Cam Newton must prove that he is worth the contract he just received, and with a developing Kelvin Benjamin, he may do just that. Riverboat Ron will have his team back in the postseason, but this team is far from ready to stake a claim that they belong among the NFC's elite.

Bill Zimmerman is a featured writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

Teams in this article »

Atlanta Falcons

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Carolina Panthers

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New Orleans Saints

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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