and 2024 NFL regular season Soon, teams across the league will be making the tough decision to trim their rosters in order to have 53 players to start the year with Super Bowl dreams.
But with only a limited number of playoff spots to secure, teams will likely be fighting to win their division or at least secure a wild-card spot.
Colin Cowherd of FOX Sports Before training camp began, we made a prediction of how each division would rank, and using those rankings, we'll continue with the NFC South and provide a breakdown of each team in each division.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, wearing No. 18, aims for a pass during an OTA offseason workout at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
1. Atlanta Falcons
Colin says: “I think the quarterback position will be stable once Atlanta acquires Kirk Cousins and Michael Pennis Jr. This is the second-best offensive line in football. With an offensive line this good, it's hard to be a team that doesn't make the playoffs.”
Atlanta had a new face, with head coach Raheem Morris replacing Arthur Smith, and Cousins, who tore his Achilles tendon while with the Minnesota Vikings, chose the Falcons in free agency.
Some believe the addition of Cousins will cost the Falcons a chance at the division title, and of course, the NFC South has been a battle for the title for quite some time now, but with improved quarterback play, especially with the team's stars, Atlanta could run away with the championship.
Key new additions: DE Matthew Judon & S Justin Simmons
Cousins will clearly be a key to the Falcons' success, even if he isn't healthy, as Cowherd noted, and the Falcons solidified that position with their first-round draft pick in Pennis Jr. out of the University of Washington.
So the Falcons added their biggest additions to the defense by acquiring Judon in a trade and activating Simmons from the free agent list to shore up their defense.
NFC WEST BREAKDOWN: What will happen to this division this NFL season?
Judon is coming off a tough season this year, playing in just four games due to a season-ending injury, but he recorded 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 in 2022 and is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, so adding him to the defensive line would be a big help.
And pairing Simmons, who led the league with six interceptions in 2022 and also had three last season, with Jesse Bates III, who also has the team's top cornerback, AJ Terrell, makes for a fun secondary.
The biggest question: Kirk is the answer?
With a great offensive line and a star-studded supporting cast, it's up to Cousins in his 13th season to deliver everything Falcons fans have been hoping for.
While no one knows what a comeback from a major Achilles injury will look like, Cousins has had a strong training camp and is set to be ready for Week 1.
Before his injury last season, he was one of the league's best passers, throwing for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games.
Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sept. 8, 1 p.m.)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Baker Mayfield (number 6) celebrates with player Mike Evans (number 13) during an NFL Wild Card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Colin says“The Buccaneers have been to the playoffs four years in a row and Baker (Mayfield) is good enough.”
The Buccaneers rewarded many of their team's talents in free agency this offseason, including signing Mayfield to a three-year contract extension to keep him in the Sunshine State after he proved himself to be the team's franchise quarterback.
They also extended top target Mike Evans, kept right tackle Tristan Wirfs happy and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will likely continue to serve as the final defensive line.
Tampa Bay won the division last year in a fateful Week 18 game, but they also beat the reigning NFC champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the playoffs. Don't underestimate Tampa Bay.
Key additions: WR Jalen McMillan
The Buccaneers were unable to land a center position in free agency, so they needed to acquire a new center in the draft, and Graham Burton was a surefire first-round pick.
But one of the most intriguing new additions is McMillan, who played in Washington's national title game.
Could McMillan bring a new threat to a Buccaneers offense that is implementing a new system under head coach Liam Cohen after Dan Canales left for the rival Panthers? He could pick the brains of defenders with his superior route tree and blazing speed.
NFC East breakdown: What will the division look like in the 2024 NFL season?
The big question: Can Coen keep it up?
As mentioned above, Canales' offensive system is no longer in place in Tampa Bay, and the Buccaneers have brought in former Kentucky Wildcats offensive coordinator Cohen to replace him.
Tampa played solid offensively and, although there was room for improvement, it was enough to win the game.
Cohen's strategy needs to be able to continue the positive trends or the Buccaneers could find themselves drifting early this season.
Week 1: vs. Washington Commanders (Sept. 8, 4:25 p.m.)
Carolina Panthers No. 9 Bryce Young reacts after the team's 15-13 win over the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 29, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Ekin Howard/Getty Images)
3. Carolina Panthers
Colin says: “Carolina, not very good.”
Cowherd sums it up succinctly, but when you look at a team that finished 2-15 in the league last season, it's hard not to expect a winning percentage of over .500 in 2024.
This will be the second year for quarterback Bryce Young, who was acquired in a trade following last year's draft, out of Alabama. The team also acquired Xavier Leggett from South Carolina in the first round, giving them a much-needed weapon at receiver alongside Adam Thielen.
However, when Canales took over at Carolina, the player depth is still thin.
Important addition: Dave Canales
The Panthers have invested heavily in their offense, which is why they selected Canales as their next head coach, which could bode very well for Young and the team.
They also acquired right guard Robert Hunt on a big contract to bolster the offensive line and protect their prized quarterback investment.
Overall, Canales' strategy will be what makes or breaks this team, which was last in total yards and points per game last season, and as Cowherd said, if he can't get Young and the rest of the team moving in the same direction quickly, things aren't going to be very good in Carolina.
Biggest question: Will another WR step up?
Thielen was one of the bright spots in a season the Panthers would rather forget, in large part because he was Young's only reliable option to throw the ball to.
Carolina not only invested in Leggett, but also acquired Dionta Johnson in the trade. Canales noted that when looking at the offense, they're looking to see where Johnson is. The veteran had issues in Pittsburgh, but this fresh start could give Young another reliable option.
But it could end up being Leggett, and whoever it is, the Panthers are in desperate need of a step-up receiver this season.
Week 1: New Orleans Saints (Sept. 8, 1 p.m.)
Derek Carr, wearing number 4 of the New Orleans Saints, watches after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
4. New Orleans Saints
Colin says“As a coach, I don't like what's going on in New Orleans right now at all.”
If any coach is in trouble to start the season, it's New Orleans' Dennis Allen.
Sure, the Saints finished 9-8 last season and missed the playoffs, but they performed well both offensively and defensively and should have won more games than their record indicates.
Most of the team is back, but Klint Kubiak took over as offensive coordinator after longtime OC Pete Carmichael Jr. was fired.
Important addition: DeChase Young
With a veteran defensive line that's on a roll every game, could New Orleans be the place where Young can reinvigorate his career?
It's never a good thing for a No. 2 overall draft pick to bounce around the league like Young did. New Orleans will be his third team in five seasons, but he still recorded 7.5 sacks after being traded from Washington before last year's deadline.
Still, Young hasn't shown himself to be the reliable edge rusher on every down like he was at Ohio State, but can Allen and his coaching staff find the secret to him succeeding in this defense? If so, he could be a difference-maker.
Biggest question: Is Derek Carr the right QB?
Simply put, even though Carr signed a five-year, $125 million contract to join the Saints last offseason, he has no choice but to play at full strength this season because he has an opt-out right after the 2024 season. That's a lot of dead cap money, but the Saints may just want to move in the younger direction.
Carr received a lot of criticism for throwing for 3,878 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season, but the Saints' offense stagnated at times and it ultimately affected him late in games.
The NFC South is a division that will once again be contested in the 2024 NFL season. (Getty Images)
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If Carr can't get the job done early, Allen knows he's in a tight spot and could make a drastic move and use Taysom Hill or even Spencer Rattler.
Week 1: vs. Carolina Panthers (Sept. 8, 1 p.m.)
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