By: Steve Johnson
The days of the brutal teams in the NFC South are over. No longer do you see the inconsistency of a new NFC South team winning the division year after year. The South presents three playoff worthy teams this year, with the emergence of Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (6-10). Newton was one of the NFL's top stories last year. Never has the game seen a rookie come on as strong as Newton did, breaking Peyton Manning's rookie passing record, while also running for over 700 yards and double digit touchdowns. Despite the great rookie stats, the Panthers still finished 3rd in the division behind New Orleans (13-3) and Atlanta (10-6). The biggest off season storyline came in New Orleans, where the Saints were part of a bounty scandal that saw head coach Sean Payton suspended a year and the franchise forfeit draft picks. Maybe it's just what the second place rival Atlanta Falcons wanted, their chance to top the division and win Matt Ryan's first playoff game. Neither the Saints of the Falcons made any huge off season move, neither having a first round pick. The Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) however had strong off seasons in both Free Agency and the 2012 Draft. Tampa added free agent Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson from San Diego and stole Offensive Linemen Carl Nicks from the Saints. In the draft the Buc's upgraded on both sides of the ball, adding Running Back Doug Martin and Safety Mark Barron in the first round. The Panthers will get back their entire Linebacker corp in Thomas Davis and Jon Beason, also adding first round pick Luke Kuechly.
Predictions:
Atlanta (11-5)
New Orleans (10-6)
Carolina (8-8)
Buccaneers (4-12)
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