Who is the best team in the NFC South? Week 1 was just kicked off and we had some exciting action. The NFC South consists of the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers faced off in a divisional matchup in week 1. This was an easy win for the Atlanta Falcons, winning 24-10. The New Orleans Saints also won in week 1, beating the Tennessee Titans. This game only had one touchdown and the rest were field goals. Both defenses played great and neither offense did anything. The New Orleans Saints barely won this game and came out on top, winning 16-15. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also won in week 1. This came as a shocker to me. They ended up beating the Minnesota Vikings, who were favored to win this matchup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won 20-17. This is shaping up to be an interesting division, and I believe all of these teams will be fighting for the top spot. I don’t think this will be the best division, but I believe it will be the most competitive division with any of these teams having a chance to be at the top, as three of the four won. It was an interesting and entertaining week 1. However, week 1 does not and will not determine the 2023 season. This ranking will be my personal predictions based off of the overall teams, players, and how I think they will finish the year.

At the bottom of the division will be the Carolina Panthers. They just have the least impressive team in my opinion, and I believe this is the only team that won’t compete in this division. They have a decent running back with Miles Sanders, their defense isn’t anything impressive, they have a good veteran wide receiver with Adam Thielin, they have a potentially good wide receiver with Jonathan Mingo, and then they have their rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Bryce Young just came out of college and won Heisman player of the year and was the number one overall pick in the draft. However, he wasn’t very impressive. All of the other rookie quarterbacks out played him. In third place will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have a phenomenal wide receiver with Mike Evans, they have a good wide receiver with Chris Godwin, they have a solid defense, and they have an average quarterback with Baker Mayfield. Baker Mayfield always starts off hot and then ends up playing bad as the season goes on. I hope he does well but I’m not sure that he will. 

Now it comes down to the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Second place of the NFC South will be no other than the New Orleans Saints. This was hard for me, and this is the hardest list I will make, as I can see the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all being interchangeable spots and it could honestly come down to whoever has the “easiest” schedule. The New Orleans Saints have a solid defense, they have an elite wide receiver with Chris Olave, they have a good veteran wide receiver with Michael Thomas, they have an elite running back with Alvin Kamara, they have a good running back with Jamaal Williams, and they have a good quarterback with Derrick Carr. I think Derrick Carr needs to stay healthy and get familiar with this new team and they will do great. 

And your NFC South champions will be no other than the Atlanta Falcons! The Atlanta Falcons have a solid defense with AJ Terrell leading the way, they have a good young wide receiver with Drake London, they have an elite tight end with Kyle Pitts, they have a superstar rookie running back with Bijan Robinson, they have a really good running back with Tyler Allgier, and they have an alright quarterback with Desmond Ridder. Bijan Robinson was drafted 7th overall in the draft this year. He was amazing in college and I can’t wait to see what he does in the NFL. Tyler Allgier was a rookie last year and set the record for most rushing yards by an Atlanta Falcons rookie. The only question mark for this team and what might potentially hold them back is their quarterback Desmond Ridder. That is why I believe the Atlanta Falcons will win the NFC South. This is my final ranking of the NFC South. 1. Atlanta Falcons, 2. New Orleans Saints, 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and 4. Carolina Panthers.