We are counting down the days until the start of the 2024 NFL Season as training camps have begun for all NFL teams. There were some major switch ups this offseason regarding big names moving to new teams and legendary coaches – Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll – being relieved of their duties. On top of that, tons of franchise players were taken in the draft. Let’s get caught up with our 2024 NFC South preview.
Last Year
What a weird year it was in the NFC South. Maybe we call it transitional? Maybe we just call it downright bad? The Buccaneers ended up winning the division with a 9-8 record – the same record as the Saints – but Tampa won the tiebreaker. The Bucs were shocked by the emergence of Baker Mayfield who had the impossible task of replacing Tom Brady. Mayfield played far better than expected and the usual offensive weapons that Tampa boasts of did their thing. The Saints had Derek Carr who did a whole lot less than you’d have liked after forking over $150 million to the QB who hasn’t proven much of anything in his career. That takes us to the Falcons and Panthers. The Falcons enlisted Desmond Ridder to call the shots last season and it was hard to watch most of the time, resulting in the firing of head coach Arthur Smith. The Panthers were so bad they earned the first overall pick, but they had already traded that one to the Bears. They also parted ways with head coach Frank Reich just 11 games into the season.
Favorite to win in 2024
The Falcons enter this year with the best chance to win the division, according to Vegas. They made the biggest move in the division this offseason by signing Kirk Cousins away from the Minnesota Vikings to be their new franchise QB. Scratch that, they also drafted Michael Pennix Jr. with a top-10 pick so who knows what they are really doing there. Tampa should be right there as well and Carr can win 8-9 games in New Orleans, especially if he wants his head coach to stick around for another year.
Offensive Player to Watch: Kyle Pitts
It really feels like a make-it or break-it year for tight end Kyle Pitts who was weirdly not really used in Smith’s former offense in Atlanta. The Falcons invested a fourth overall pick on this guy and seem to never play him. With tight end loving QB Kirk Cousins in town and a whole new regime, Pitts has a chance to prove that he isn’t a bust.
Defensive Player to Watch: Antoine Winfield Jr.
Fresh off a new contract that makes him the highest paid safety in the National Football League, Winfield Jr. has become a must-watch player for the Bucs and has a personality that makes it even better. He is arguably a top-20 player in the game right now and the future face of the Bucs.
Prediction
I am trusting Baker and his steady offensive band of Mike Evans, Rachaad White, and Chris Godwin to surprise everyone again in 2024 and win the South. This defense is legit and if Todd Bowles can do one thing, it’s coach a D. Record (10-7)