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For those who are into the rankings sort of thing on strength of division, here's ESPN's take:
8. NFC SOUTH
FPI projects the strength of every team's offense, defense and special teams and combines those for an overall rating.
FPI ratings (minus-13.9 overall) AFC was given best FPI rating of 12.1 overall:
This is the only division without a single team with a positive overall FPI. The Saints lead the way, likely thanks to their veteran defense and the fact Derek Carr is the most proven quarterback in the division.
Atlanta is loaded with exciting young skill position players, but their signal-caller is Desmond Ridder, who's very much an unknown, and FPI rates the Falcons 31st in the league in defense (minus-1.6).
Carolina is rolling with No. 1 pick Bryce Young and an experienced coaching staff that believes it can contend right away. But FPI is unimpressed, rating the Panthers' offense 27th (minus-3.0).
The Buccaneers will go with Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask as the replacement for retired Tom Brady as they take it on the chin with dead-money salary cap charges this year and look ahead to what they hope is a brighter future.
All of that said, don't be surprised if these teams finish with better records than you expect. FPI projects the Saints to have the easiest schedule in the entire league and the Falcons to have the second-easiest. Carolina's schedule rates as the fourth-easiest, and Tampa Bay's ranks as the eighth-easiest. Remember, the Bucs won this division last season with a sub-.500 record, so they're stuck playing the other first-place teams in the NFC.
8. NFC SOUTH
FPI projects the strength of every team's offense, defense and special teams and combines those for an overall rating.
FPI ratings (minus-13.9 overall) AFC was given best FPI rating of 12.1 overall:
- New Orleans Saints: minus-1.8 (22nd in NFL) KC was given best overall FPI of +6.4
- Atlanta Falcons: minus-3.2 (26th)
- Carolina Panthers: minus-3.4 (27th)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: minus-5.5 (30th)
This is the only division without a single team with a positive overall FPI. The Saints lead the way, likely thanks to their veteran defense and the fact Derek Carr is the most proven quarterback in the division.
Atlanta is loaded with exciting young skill position players, but their signal-caller is Desmond Ridder, who's very much an unknown, and FPI rates the Falcons 31st in the league in defense (minus-1.6).
Carolina is rolling with No. 1 pick Bryce Young and an experienced coaching staff that believes it can contend right away. But FPI is unimpressed, rating the Panthers' offense 27th (minus-3.0).
The Buccaneers will go with Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask as the replacement for retired Tom Brady as they take it on the chin with dead-money salary cap charges this year and look ahead to what they hope is a brighter future.
All of that said, don't be surprised if these teams finish with better records than you expect. FPI projects the Saints to have the easiest schedule in the entire league and the Falcons to have the second-easiest. Carolina's schedule rates as the fourth-easiest, and Tampa Bay's ranks as the eighth-easiest. Remember, the Bucs won this division last season with a sub-.500 record, so they're stuck playing the other first-place teams in the NFC.
