(Photo: Uni Watch)
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They have still been the best team in this division, even after Tom Brady retired. I’d say the advice is simple to Baker Mayfield which is being yourself and don’t try to be the guy before you, because nobody can be the greatest ever to do it. I thought Baker was good enough to be mentioned as an MVP candidate, and he put together the best season of his career. Things did appear to look rocky at times for the Buccaneers last season, but they pushed through and won the NFC South for the fourth consecutive season. It was another year for Mike Evans at the office and though he missed time with an injury, he still recorded 1,000 yards receiving on the season which was his eleventh to start his career and I don’t think this’ll be appreciated until he’s no longer playing the game. What I appreciate about this Tampa team is how they grind games out, it may not look the prettiest, but they find ways to close games out.
2. Atlanta Falcons: At one point, they were looking to run away with the division. It was the first year with new Head Coach Raheem Morris and veteran Quarterback, Kirk Cousins and this group appeared to have a thing going for them. Unfortunately, they hit that rough patch and lost four consecutive games when they were once sitting at 6-3. The Atlanta Falcons struggled because of constantly turning the football over and a struggling defense. They did win eight games a year ago which was their most since 2017, but this was also their seventh consecutive season missing the playoffs. Michael Penix Jr is about to enter his first full year as the starting Quarterback in Atlanta and how he performs will be crucial to the success of the Atlanta Falcons this upcoming season.
3. Carolina Panthers: I can say they are trending in the right direction, but it will take some time for them to get to being relevant again which is why it’s called a rebuild because you struggle at first, build up your roster and go from there. I will give the Carolina Panthers credit because they truly played hard for first-year Head Coach, Dave Canales and were in games they had no business being in. The harder you play, the more you become respected. I love what Carolina did in the first round of the draft by getting Bryce Young another weapon, and they drafted Tet McMillan, a possession Wide Receiver from Arizona. What hurt them in 2024 was their defense as they allowed the most points ever in a single season and became just the fourth team ever to allow 3,000 rushing yards. There’s some optimism surrounding this team with Canales around.
4. New Orleans Saints: The days of Drew Brees and Sean Payton are far and long gone and listen to me, they are going to have to rebuild now, whether they like it or not because they have no sense of direction at the moment. This was a team last year that started 2-0 and lost their next seven games, and they made a move firing then-Head Coach Dennis Allen in season. When the Saints signed Derek Carr, there was a sense of hope in New Orleans because they truly have struggled to find their guy under center since Drew retired, and I always say it’s difficult to replace a Hall of Fame caliber Quarterback. The Saints hired Kellen Moore as their next Head Coach and if they are serious about a rebuild, I’d attempt to trade Alvin Kamara now to see what I can get back for him at this point. It’s going to be a very long year in the Big Easy, unfortunately.
2025 Predictions
1. Buccaneers (11-6)
2. Falcons (7-10)
3. Panthers (6-11)
4. Saints (2-15)
This is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ division for the taking and the only team I can see giving them a run for their money is the Atlanta Falcons. I’m picking the Bucs to win the South for the fifth consecutive season as they have the best Quarterback, receiver tandem and Offensive Line out of the four teams. Chris Godwin missed the rest of the year last season with an ankle injury and even Mike Evans missed some time, but however when these two are healthy, they are one of the best Wide Receiver tandems in the league and they also drafted Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State which gives Baker another weapon. The defense added Haason Reddick and if he can get his head in the game, the Bucs defense will benefit from his services. The Panthers will play tough and the Saints will struggle mightily this year.
