2020 NFL Preview & Predictions – NFC South
In 2019, with the exception of the 13-3 Saints, this Division had a down year. 2020 has a much different feel to it though. The Saints will be back, the Falcons should bounce back, and the Panthers will have a new face in Teddy Bridgewater. Oh, and I heard the Buccaneers got a new Quarterback too. Let’s have a look.
Carolina Panthers
2019 Record - 5-11
2019 Scoring Offense - 20th
2019 Rushing Offense - 14th
2019 Passing Offense - 20th
2019 Scoring Defense - 31st
2019 Rushing Defense - 29th
2019 Passing Defense - 13th
Key Losses - QB Cam Newton, LB Luke Kuechly, DT Dontari Poe, OL Trai Turner, CB James Bradberry, DE Mario Addison, DT Vernon Butler, TE Greg Olsen, DT Gerald McCoy, DE Bruce Irvin, G Greg Van Roten, QB Kyle Allen, SS Eric Reid, K Graham Gano, WR Chris Hogan
Key Additions - QB Teddy Bridgewater, LT Russel Okung, WR Robby Anderson, DE Stephen Weatherly, S Juston Burris, G John Miller, WR Seth Roberts, DE Zach Kerr, CB Eli Apple
Draft Picks - DT Derrick Brown, DE Yetur Gross-Matos, S Jeremy Chinn, CB Troy Pride Jr., S Kenny Robinson Jr., DT Bravvion Roy, CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Biggest Strength - Arguably the most dynamic weapon in the NFL - Christian McCaffrey
Biggest Weakness - Defensive line
Biggest Question - New coach, completely overhauled roster…how will the post-Cam Newton era look?
Notes - New Head Coach (Matt Rhule); Time for Teddy Bridgewater to shine
COVID – LB Jordan Mack, LB Christian Miller opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 5-11
Atlanta Falcons
2019 Record - 7-9
2019 Scoring Offense - 13th
2019 Rushing Offense - 30th
2019 Passing Offense - 3rd
2019 Scoring Defense - 23rd
2019 Rushing Defense - 15th
2019 Passing Defense - 22nd
Key Losses - RB Devonta Freeman, DT Michael Bennett, TE Austin Hooper, CB Desmond Trufant, DE Vic Beasley, OLB De'Vondre Campbell, G Wes Schweitzer, DE Adrian Clayborn
Key Additions - DE Charles Harris, DE Dante Fowler Jr., RB Todd Gurley, TE Hayden Hurst
Draft Picks - CB AJ Terrell, DE Marlon Davidson, C Matt Hennessy, LB Mykal Walker, S Jaylinn Hawkins, P Sterling Hofrichter
Biggest Strength - Trio of Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, & Todd Gurley
Biggest Weakness - Rushing the Quarterback
Biggest Question - How much does Todd Gurley have left in the tank?
Notes - One of the more talented offenses in recent memory
2020 Prediction - 10-6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2019 Record - 7-9
2019 Scoring Offense - 3rd
2019 Rushing Offense - 24th
2019 Passing Offense - 1st
2019 Scoring Defense - 29th
2019 Rushing Defense - 1st
2019 Passing Defense - 30th
Key Losses - QB Jameis Winston, DE Carl Nassib, WR Breshad Perriman, DT Beau Allen, RB Peyton Barber
Key Additions - QB Tom Brady, TE Rob Gronkowski, RB LeSean McCoy
Draft Picks - OT Tristan Wirfs, S Antoine Winfield Jr., RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn, WR Tyler Johnson, DT Khalil Davis, LB Chapelle Russell, RB Raymond Calais
Biggest Strength - Um, Tom Brady & Rob Gronkowski?
Biggest Weakness - Defensive backfield
Biggest Question - The Buccaneers led the NFL in passing yards last season…will Brady be a legit replacement for Winston? 🙂
Notes - Time to find out how much of Brady's success can be attributed to Belichick
COVID – OT Brad Seaton opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 12-4
New Orleans Saints
2019 Record - 13-3
2019 Scoring Offense - 3rd
2019 Rushing Offense - 16th
2019 Passing Offense - 7th
2019 Scoring Defense - 13th
2019 Rushing Defense - 4th
2019 Passing Defense - 20th
Key Losses - QB Teddy Bridgewater, OLB A.J. Klein, SS Vonn Bell, CB Eli Apple, ILB Manti Te'o
Key Additions - WR Emmanuel Sanders, FS Malcolm Jenkins, QB Jameis Winston, RB Ty Montgomery
Draft Picks - C Cesar Ruiz, LB Zack Baun, TE Adam Trautman, QB Tommy Stevens
Biggest Strength - Offensive weapons (Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Emmanual Sanders, Jared Cook)
Biggest Weakness - On paper, there actually are none
Biggest Question - Is this finally the year that 41-year old Drew Brees finally slows down?
Notes - On paper, arguably the best offense in the NFL
COVID – Cole Wick, TE Jason Vander Laan opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 14-2 DIVISION WINNER
Now, tell me what you think!!!
Like this article? Share it on Twitter or Facebook. Like us? Follow us on Twitter (@big3sportsblog1) or like our Facebook page (@big3sportsblog). Not a fan? Tell us why!