2019 NFL Preseason Rankings: NFC South Power Rankings

2019 NFL Preseason Rankings – NFC South Power Rankings: The 2019 NFL season is less than a week away from beginning, and we wrap up the NFC division previews with a deep dive into the South Division. The division is well stocked in the quarterback department with former MVPs Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, future Hall of Famer Drew Brees and former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston. Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some work to do, but the other three teams have a legitimate chance at reaching the postseason. Check out how the surprisingly deep NFC South stacks up.

2019 NFL Preseason Rankings: NFC South Power Rankings

1. Atlanta Falcons

Lost in the mediocrity that was Atlanta’s 2018 season was another impressive year from quarterback Matt Ryan. In fact, his numbers were practically identical to the ones he put up in his MVP season. Julio Jones is the star of the passing attack, but fellow receiver Calvin Ridley and tight end Austin Hooper are emerging weapons. Atlanta also welcomes back running back Devonta Freeman to the fold this year to go with an upgraded offensive line, and the defense gets several key playmakers back from injury, as well. I expect the Falcons to surge back to the top of the NFC South in 2019 and make a deep playoff run.

2. New Orleans Saints

You always here about teams suffering from a Super Bowl hangover, but the Saints are dealing with a should-have-been-in-the-Super-Bowl hangover. Yes, the no-call at the end of the NFC Championship Game cost New Orleans a shot at a title, but the silver lining is that the Saints return the core of the team that got to that point. Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas anchor head coach Sean Payton’s always dangerous offense, and the defense might have more talent than at any point in the Brees-Payton era. I am a little concerned with how Brees slowed down and the offense sputtered at the end of last season, and the Future Hall of Famer isn’t getting any younger. The Saints have enough weapons on both sides to make another playoff run, but I don’t think they are the overwhelming favorites that many are predicting them to be.

3. Carolina Panthers

The star power on Carolina is undeniable. Cam Newton is an MVP candidate when healthy, Christian McCaffrey is one of the most versatile running backs in the league, and linebacker Luke Kuechly is one of the top defenders at any position. However, the surgeries are mounting for Newton, and he already suffered a minor foot injury after just a few minutes of preseason action. The Panthers are not the same team when Kuechly isn’t anchoring the middle of the defense and Newton isn’t able to use both his arm and his legs to make plays. At this point, it just doesn’t seem like either player’s body can handle the physical style of play that makes them elite talents. Carolina will be a tough out, but I see the Panthers finishing around 8-8 as they battle injuries over the course of the year.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I think head coach Bruce Arians will bring out the best in quarterback Jameis Winston, especially with all the weapons he has at his disposal in the passing game. Unfortunately, the offensive line is still sketchy, at best, and unless Ronald Jones makes a monumental leap, the Buccaneers still don’t have anyone special in the backfield. Tampa Bay did add some pieces on defense, but not enough to transform last year’s porous unit overnight. Stuck in one of the deeper divisions, the Buccaneers just have too many holes.

Check the odds to win 2020 Super Bowl plus daily 2019 NFL vegas odds and lines updated daily throughout the year at NSAwins.com!

Be sure to check out NSAwins.com’s award-winning NFL Football Season Picks Packages for expert winners against the vegas spreads and totals in NFL Football this season including 2019 NFL Football Picks and Predictions to beat the vegas point spreads and totals!