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For its first 11 decades of the NFC South’s existence, starting in 2002, no division champion had repeated. Now it has happened twice in five years. Can the Saints do it again?
The NFC South has always been a peculiar monster. Until recently, every team had that one opponent that they either owned or could not conquer. For those of us generating NFL selections, it was like a few of those matchups in college football that were one-sided, you didn’t need to look into the sport, just circle the club with the advantage.
That’s a little less in the past few years but don’t kid yourself, in this area of the nation where they take college football very badly, they do exactly the same with these four groups.
Here is a peek at the newest NFL odds to win the NFC South and New Orleans is favored to be the next three-peat champion.
NFC South Division – (from 5Dimes – updated 8/17)
New Orleans -148
Atlanta +370
Carolina +500
Tampa Bay +1500
The Saints have all the weapons to repeat, but the simple fact is that the quarterback play in this division is as strong as any of the eight in the league and as we have seen a number of occasions that could change the standings. But heading into a new season, we believe the oddsmakers are put on and encourage their choices.
1) New Orleans Saints
In a league where coaches and players come and go with regularity, New Orleans has done what best franchises do, they remain the course. When Bountygate happened along with the Saints went 7-9 in four years, most owners would have desired change. But GM Mickey Loomis rebuilt New Orleans without having to tear it to the floor and Sean Payton remained true to himself. The Saints have had REALLY bad luck in the play in the previous two seasons, so can they catch a rest and win everything?
2) Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have the important personnel to do conflict with New Orleans. That’s not their issue. Catching or surpassing them revolves around Atlanta putting together an offensive line that could rank near the upper 10. This means both in moving the line of scrimmage at the jog and protecting Matt Ryan if he drops back to pass. To return to the playoffs as a wild card or division champ, coach Dan Quinn has to get an excellent defense. They don’t have to be Measure 5, only have the ability to stop the run, rush the passer and make turnovers because they did three decades ago when they won the Super Bowl. Can Atlanta clean up this? We will find out.
3) Carolina Panthers
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It might be a fantastic story if Jameis Winston and Bruce Arians can turn in the soccer version of the movie,”Karate Kid.” This is where the older master takes an undisciplined youngster and molds him into one of the finest in his sport. But football is a team game and even though Arians can turn Winston to a Best 12 quarterback, Tampa Bay has so many different holes to match, it might take a couple bushels of Gorilla Tape to secure all the cracks that the Buccaneers have. The Bucs will improve but they will nonetheless be cellar bound.
Writer/Handicapper Doug Upstone was a documented 50-34, 59.5% at sports gaming courses in the NFL last season and can be 15-7 the past few years from the NFL preseason. Follow his NFL selections here at SportsBookReview.com.
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