Ceilings and Floors: NFC South

We’ve weathered free agency, dealt with the Draft, and scrutinised the schedule. Now we can look ahead to real football as we build up to the start of the season. So we looked at each team’s schedule and weighed up their offseason moves to predict their best and worst records to find their potential ceilings and floors. Here’s the NFC South:

Dan Quinn’s defense has taken another step forward this offseason (Credit: Blogging Dirty)

Atlanta Falcons

Ceiling: 12–4

Floor: 9–7

2016: 11–5

After suffering a heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl LI, Atlanta didn’t fall into the doldrums this offseason. Instead, they added more pieces to their young defense; signing defensive tackle Dontari Poe and drafting impact players like defensive end Takkarist McKinley and linebacker Duke Riley. The Falcons could field a top five defense this season, but how will the offense adjust with Steve Sarkisian replacing departed offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan? The majority of the starters from the last year’s top scoring offense return, and quarterback Matt Ryan is coming off an MVP campaign. But in an improved NFC South, can the Falcons retain their place among the NFC’s elite?

Can McCaffery rejuvinate Cam Newton and the Panthers’ offense? (Credit: NY Daily News)

Carolina Panthers

Ceiling: 11–5

Floor: 8–8

2016: 6–10

Stuck in a season-long slump after an embarrassing loss in Super Bowl 50, the Panthers are poised to bounce back this year. The defense is stronger, especially in the secondary after the additions of Julius Peppers, Captain Munnerlyn and Mike Adams, as well as draft picks Daeshon Hall and Corn Elder. Carolina also added two dynamic playmakers in Christian McCaffery and Curtis Samuel. With McCaffery and Samuel adding a new dimension added to the offense alongside quarterback Cam Newton and tall perimeter targets like Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess, the Panthers could make a push to reclaim the NFC South title.

Sean Payton still hasn’t built a good enough defense behind Drew Brees (Credit: Who Dat Dish)

New Orleans Saints

Ceiling: 9–7

Floor: 7–9

2016: 7–9

The Saints targeted their defense as the area that has held them back in recent seasons. However, aside from re-signing defensive tackle Nick Fairley and drafting corner Marshon Lattimore and safety Marcus Williams, they haven’t done nearly enough. Instead, New Orleans bolstered an already good offensive line with first round pick Ryan Ramczyk, as well as spending a third-rounder on running back Alvin Kamara and $7 million on Adrian Peterson despite already having Mark Ingram in the backfield. The offense may well be better than last year’s unit that was the league’s top offense, but it is the defense that will continue to scupper the Saints.

Will free agents Chris Baker and DeSean Jackson be the final pieces for the Bucs? (Credit: Tampa Bay Times)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ceiling: 11–5

Floor: 7–9

2016: 9–7

After narrowly missing out on a wild card spot last season, the Buccaneers are primed for their first playoff run since 2007. They have a young franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston who is still developing, and now he is surrounded by top-tier weapons like receiver Mike Evans, free agent addition DeSean Jackson, first round tight end O.J. Howard, and running back Doug Martin. The defense continues to improve under coordinator Mike Smith, and added defensive lineman Chris Baker and hard-hitting safety J.J. Wilcox in free agency. With their strongest roster in years, Tampa Bay are a threat for the playoffs this season.