The Saints have a new QB and the best odds to win the NFC South, which is the weakest division in the NFC.
Here are the odds and mini previews for all of the NFC South teams.
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Saints +105
The Saints are hoping Derek Carr will solve their QB issue that has been prevalent in the Big Easy since Drew Brees retired. Chris Olave had over 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie last season and the team is hoping two-time All Pro Michael Thomas can return to form after only playing in 10 games over the last two seasons due to injury. The team brought in several WRs but Thomas getting back to elite status would be huge Alvin Kamara is a star back that ranked second on the team in catches but his workload will likely not be as huge this season with Jamaal Williams (1,066 yards) being brought in from the Lions.
The defense was solid last season and the secondary has some star power but they need to come up with more picks. New Orleans plays one of the weakness schedules in the league only facing four teams that made the playoffs last season.
Falcons +200
The Falcons are putting their hopes on young QB Desmond Ritter, who went 2-2 in four starts last season. One major thing he has going for him is playing behind a great offensive line and the team has three skill players that were all top 10 draft picks. The team also made a good move signing QB Taylor Heinicke, who played well in his time with the Commanders. RB Bijan Robinson was the eighth player taken in the last draft and will be counted on to be big right away. Drake London leads the good WR corps and Kyle Pitts has been solid but has not lived up to the much-hyped potential.
The team made some moves to improve a defense, which ranked 23rd last season in points allowed. Atlanta also plays a pretty soft schedule and in their first five games only face one playoff team from last season.
Panthers +500
The Panthers moved up in the draft to take Bryce Young #1 and the team is hoping he can be a legit QB, which the team has sorely missed in the last few seasons. The team also made a huge splash in free agency signing Miles Sanders, who had a career year with the Eagles last season rushing for 1,269 yards. Star WR A.J. Moore was traded for Carolina to move up and draft Young but the team brought in many veteran WRs and drafted WR Jonathan Mingo in the second round.
The Panthers have a new defensive coordinator and they have talent but last season were gassed as the unit that spent the most time on the field in the league. The beginning of the season is the tough part of the season, as after the Falcons in the opener they face the Saints, Seahawks, Vikings, Lions, and Dolphins.
Buccaneers +1000
The GOAT Tom Brady is gone and after a QB battle Baker Mayfield won the starting job. This is his fourth team and the former #1 pick has another chance to show he is a legit starter. He may be on a short leash and if he struggles Kyle Trask is waiting in the wings. At least Baker has one of the better WR duos in the league in Mike Evans and Chris Goodwin. The run game was bad last season and may be an issue this season, as they are thin after Rachaad White, who had 848 yards from scrimmage last season as a rookie.
The defense has talent but they regressed last season and need to bounce back. The Bucs have a tough start to the season with four of their first five games facing the Vikings, Eagles, Saints, and Lions. Two of those games are on the road and they also have tough road games against the Bills and 49ers.