2006 NFC South Predictions

NFC EAST - Carolina Panthers PREDICTIONS

The Panthers are 10:1 to win the Super Bowl, 5:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 4:6 to win the NFC South.

Injuries have been cruel to the Panthers at crucial stages of the past two seasons, but if Coach John Fox can keep his big guns healthy, the Panthers will do what is expected of them; claim the division title.

Fox has attempted to add depth to some key positions to avert the danger of injuries again. Running back DeAngelo Williams comes in as a number one draft choice and should prove an invaluable back-up to DeShaun Foster.

Foster’s broken leg in the playoffs last year hurt the Panthers badly. There is no denying that Foster is an exciting talent, but he hasn’t played a full season in any of his four years because of injury.

Big things are also predicted for free agent pickup, Keyshawn Johnson, who joins Steve Smith in the wide receiver ranks. Johnson should enjoy a fruitful partnership with quarterback Jake Delhomme, a real team man who got the best out of his offense last season.

Panthers’ fans were hoping for an improved offensive line, but only one quality player, Tennessee’ center Justin Hartwig, has been signed to plug the problems of last season.

A tough and relentless defense has been Carolina’s trademark in recent seasons and little should change in this area. The Panthers have an abundance of size and strength and the arrival of giant defensive tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu from Baltimore gives the defensive line an even more formidable look.

Kemoeatu will fit in well alongside Kris Jenkins, Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker on a defense that produced an impressive 45 sacks in 2005.

Summing Up: A tough early draw will test the Panthers, but they have the credentials to go head-to head with Tampa Bay for the division title.

NFC EAST - Tampa Bay Buccaneers PREDICTIONS

The Buccaneers are 30:1 to win the Super Bowl, 16:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 10:3 to win the NFC South.

With the number one rated defense in the NFL last season, and the arrival of a rising quarterback, the signs are certainly promising for the Buccaneers.

Before fans start breaking out the champagne though, there are potential problems. A tough schedule for one, and some questions still to be answered about promising playmaker, Chris Simms.

Simms inherited the quarterback role last year from Brian Griese, and after an excellent start, he struggled in their home playoff loss to Washington. However, Buccaneers’ coach Jon Gruden remains convinced Simms is the man, as he has worked to mature his game over the summer.

Wide receivers Joey Galloway and Michael Clayton have the class to make the most of Simms’ talents and both look set for productive seasons. Clayton struggled last year, but he has been strong in spring training. Tight end, Alex Smith had a stellar rookie season in 2005, while fellow rookie, running back Cadillac Williams, was even more impressive. Williams’ 1,178 rushing yards and six touchdowns led him to be named Rookie of the Year.

One area that needs improvement is the offensive line. Simms was sacked on a regular basis last year and that appeared to dent his confidence as the season wore on. Surprisingly, the Buccaneers did little to build up this area in the off-season, a mistake that could come back to haunt them.

Tampa's defense was outstanding in all areas last year and shows no indication of wilting this campaign. Simeon Rice led the way with 14 sacks and the secondary of Jermaine Phillips, Ronde Barber, Brian Kelly and Will Allen all made huge contributions.

Outside linebacker, Derrick Brooks is still a force to be reckoned with, while defensive tackles Booger McFarland and Chris Hovan fortify the interior of the line.

Summing Up: The NFC South division shapes up as a two team race between Tampa Bay and Carolina. Simms has the potential to put Tampa over the top, but whether he can deliver in his first full season as a starting quarterback remains to be seen.

NFC EAST - Atlanta Falcons PREDICTIONS

The Falcons are 35:1 to win the Super Bowl, 15:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 11:4 to win the NFC South.

Michael Vick is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, but also among the most unreliable. Quick and agile, Vick loves to run the ball, some say too often, and the Falcons will again live or die on his unpredictability.

After steering the Falcons into the playoffs in 2004, Vick was worked over by defenses last year and often finished games rattled or injured, or both.

Coach Jim Mora Jr. has faith in Vick, but he may have an ace up his sleeve in Matt Schaub. Schaub could become the starter if Vick again fails to produce.

Fortunately, the Falcons do have potent weapons on offense. Alge Crumpler has developed into one of the game’s most consistent tight ends, and Warrick Dunn is a running back who comes up with the numbers game after game.

The wide receivers didn’t produce much last season, but that could have been due to Vick’s penchant for running the football which often left them frustrated. Vick will want to make more use of Roddy White, one of the few Falcons to star when the team faded in the latter stages of 2005.

Questions are also being asked about the offensive line, particularly after the loss of tackle Kevin Shaffer. Vick was sacked 33 times last season, a statistic Mora will be looking to improve in the coming season.

After the Falcons’ defense steered the team to the 2004 NFC Championship game, it fell off alarmingly last season. Mora recognized the problem and traded for defensive end, John Abraham, from the Jets to play alongside the reliable Rod Coleman.

A major weakness last year was the Falcons’ ability to stop the run, and they appear to have done little to improve this vital area of the game.

Linebacker Ed Hartwell is on the comeback trail from injury and he and cornerback DeAngelo Hall could help fix the defensive problems of last year.

Summing Up: The Falcons aren’t the strongest team in the division and consistency will be an issue, but if Vick can get the offense on a roll, they could reproduce their fine deeds of 2004.

NFC EAST - New Orleans Saints PREDICTIONS

The Saints are 60:1 to win the Super Bowl, 40:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 10:1 to win the NFC South.

After a 3-13 season last year, there is no doubt the Saints will improve in 2006, the question is by how much? There’s plenty of optimism around the “Big Easy”, and not just because the team is returning home after the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Like their city, the Saints are very much in a rebuilding phase.

New Orleans has come up with two major additions, quarterback Drew Brees and running back Reggie Bush who may just turn their offense around. With the Saints managing just 21 touchdowns in the entire 2005 season, this dynamic pair should give the team a real lift.

Brees finished last season with San Diego under an injury cloud and his health is vital to the team’s chances. Running back, Deuce McAllister is also returning from a torn ACL, and he will provide a great compliment to Bush if healthy. Tight end Zach Hilton was a revelation towards the end of last season and should continue to produce strong numbers.

Brees and company are hoping to get more support from their offensive line than the Saints provided their playmakers last year. The Saints conceded 41 sacks and the guards do not inspire confidence on paper.

Defense has been a major problem for the Saints in recent years and new Coach, Sean Payton doesn’t have the big weapons of many of his rivals. Defensive tackle, Brian Young is a mainstay, but he will need more support from those around him.

Another new signing, Hollis Thomas, could prove to be the answer, but he is coming to the Saints after several injury-plagued seasons. The linebackers also don’t look all that menacing and need Colby Bockwoldt to step up after losing both Ronald McKinnon and Sedrick Hodge.

Summing Up: The Saints will be more competitive than last year, but they do not have the heavy artillery to make the playoffs in such a tough division.

Click any of the following links for more NFL 2006 Division Predictions for the NFL 2006 Betting Season.

2006 AFC West Predictions
2006 AFC South Predictions
2006 AFC North Predictions
2006 AFC East Predictions
2006 NFC West Predictions
2006 NFC South Predictions
2006 NFC East Predictions
2006 NFC North Predictions

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