For the AFC East Preview, click here.
We're a day away from the first games of the last week of the preseason. One last look at your fringe guys to round out the roster and be prepared to go into battle for a Super Bowl. We continue the swing around the country now by visiting the NFC South.
NFC South
Common opponents on schedule: NFC East, AFC West
2011 Record: 10-6, lost in NFC Wild Card round
Historically, the NFC South has been a constant changing of the guard. Since its formation in 2002, no team has ever successfully defended its division championship, and each team has won the division at least twice. That's the parity that the NFL is known for, and part of the reason why I feel the Falcons can get back on top of the division this year. They also have the personnel to get back on top this year. This is a very good offense even though Matt Ryan hasn't won a playoff game. He has legitimate weapons in Roddy White and Julio Jones, not to mention veterans Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez. A pretty tough home environment also helps. I'm not 100% sold on this defense, but I think they can do enough to win the division.
2011 Record: 13-3, lost in NFC Divisional round
I'm disappointed that despite being invited to their minicamp, Kyle Fiedorowicz did not get any further looks this offseason and is not on an NFL roster. If nothing else, he does get the honor of being in Madden '13. Not that Drew Brees needed another huge tight end when he's got Jimmy Graham to throw to all day, or a slew of wide receivers who helped give Brees the single season yardage record last season. Their defense did take a bit of a hit due to free agent departures as well as suspensions (the legitimacy of which is up for debate, but I don't really have an official stance on it). The biggest hit and the biggest reason why I don't have the Saints winning the division is the absence of Sean Payton from the sidelines. He's unquestionably one of the best coaches in the league and that open seat they're leaving everywhere for him like he's dead will be a huge obstacle for them to overcome, though I still think they take one of the wild cards (denoted by the asterisk).
2011 Record: 6-10, missed playoffs
This is one of the better dual-threat offensive teams you'll see in the league. That DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart (assuming Stewart is healthy) combination is a deadly threat on the ground, and Steve Smith had a resurgent 2011 season. Rumor has it that top 2011 pick Cam Newton is a large reason as to why. He may suffer a bit of a sophomore slump as many do, but with a year of NFL experience under his belt this team can continue to grow. Jon Beason and Luke Kuechly will solidify this defense, and while these guys may not be in the playoff picture come November, this will be a fun team to watch and someone to look out for within the next couple years.
2011 Record: 4-12, missed playoffs
They were able to lure Vincent Jackson away from San Diego and have some talent on the defensive side of the ball, but I'm discouraged by the way Josh Freeman regressed last year. Maybe it was an off year, but while I think he'll move back towards his 2010 season I don't think he'll be quite as good. It doesn't help that he doesn't have much in the way of support on offense beyond Jackson (Blount is a pretty good runner, but I wouldn't call him great by any stretch) and the talent level in the rest of the division is just too much. Keep reloading and wait another year. Or get Jon Gruden to call 6 yard slants on every down.
Tomorrow we'll have the AFC South preview as well as a special feature. It only took me just under a year to get to 100 posts on Confessions of a Sportscaster. That's got to count for something, right?
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