Are Falcons the second best team in the NFC South?

Alex Hoegler
Updated
USATSI_8073066
USATSI_8073066

Let’s make this clear while we can: The Carolina Panthers (on paper at least,) remain the top team in the NFC South. It is their division to win, and such is life when you’re coming off a 15-1 season and Cam Newton is reigning MVP.

AROUND COVER32

Twitter Tuesday: Doug Baldwin calls out Roger Goodell

2016 Preview: Predictions for the NFC North division

Madden Monday: Ratings for the top ten rookies of 2016

2016 Preview: Top coach of the year candidates

They won the division by seven games, so it’s easy to understand why they should be considered heavy favorites in the division. Assuming they take their fourth-straight NFC South crown, who is their biggest threat?

It’s surely not quite the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they need one or two more seasons before they’re ready to contend.

That leaves us with the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Which has us asking: Who is really the biggest threat in the division, then? It’s been a rotation between the two teams.

After all, Atlanta had a better record in 2008. New Orleans did in 2009. Atlanta did in 2010. New Orleans did in 2011. Atlanta did in 2012. New Orleans did in 2013 and 2014. Atlanta did in 2015.

It’s obviously a back-and-forth battle between the to rivals, but who really is looking like the better team right now? It’d be easy to say the Falcons, who did go 8-8 last season (while the Saints were 7-9.)

The Falcons also added Alex Mack, Mohamed Sanu, Derrick Shelby and Sean Weatherspoon in free agency, while drafting safety Keanu Neal and promising tight end Austin Hooper. The Saints signed veteran pass-rushers Nick Fairley, James Laurinaitis and tight end Coby Fleener, while drafting Sheldon Rankins to help Cameron Jordan pass-rush.

New Orleans surely has the better offense, with Drew Brees leading the NFL in passing last season. Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, Fleener and Mark Ingram are among the most dangerous players in the league.

To be honest, it’s impossible to decide which one will be better. Both teams addressed key concerns, and both teams played near .500 last season. But my early gut would lead to Atlanta, who definitely has a bit more talent on both sides of the ball.

 

The post Are Falcons the second best team in the NFC South? appeared first on Cover32.