2024 NFC South Record Predictions

2024 NFC South Record Predictions

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the exercise that nobody asked for.

Has there been a division with as little optimism surrounding it than the NFC South? The main storyline for the off-season surrounds a possibly bone-headed decision to sign an expensive free agent quarterback and then go and draft his replacement in the draft.

It's not fun, it's not sexy, but someone has to do it. So, here goes.

A full record prediction for all four teams in the NFC South:

Carolina Panthers

Record: 6-11 (2-4 NFC South)

Week 1

at New Orleans - L

Week 2

vs. Los Angeles Chargers - L

Week 3

at Las Vegas - W

Week 4

vs. Cincinnati - L

Week 5

at Chicago - W

Week 6

vs. Atlanta - L

Week 7

at Washington - W

Week 8

at Denver - L

Week 9

vs. New Orleans - W

Week 10

vs. New York Giants (Germany) - W

Week 11

Bye

Week 12

vs. Kansas City Chiefs - L

Week 13

vs. Tampa Bay - W

Week 14

at Philadelphia - L

Week 15

vs. Dallas - L

Week 16

vs. Arizona - L

Week 17

at Tampa Bay - L

Week 18

at Atlanta - L

It can't get much worse in Carolina. Last year's dumpster fire led to a mid-season head coach firing, their owner firmly taking the title as the worst owner in the league by throwing a drink into an unsuspecting Jacksonville Jaguars fan's face and lingering questions over whether they chose the right quarterback with the first overall pick in the draft.

Luckily, in 2024, they make progress under new head coach Dave Canales, Starting 6-6 and being firmly in the NFC South race only for the bottom fall out at the end of the season because they're just not talented enough feels like a perfect projection for Canales and the Panthers.

On the bright side, Bryce Young probably looks better, and at the end of the day, that's all that matters, right?

New Orleans Saints

Record: 7-10 (2-4 NFC South)

Week 1

vs. Carolina - W

Week 2

at Dallas - L

Week 3

vs. Philadelphia - L

Week 4

at Atlanta - L

Week 5

at Kansas City (MNF) - L

Week 6

vs. Tampa Bay - L

Week 7

vs. Denver (TNF) - W

Week 8

at Los Angeles Chargers - L

Week 9

at Carolina - L

Week 10

vs. Atlanta - L

Week 11

vs. Cleveland - W

Week 12

Bye

Week 13

vs. Los Angeles Rams - L

Week 14

at New York Giants - W

Week 15

vs. Washington - W

Week 16

at Green Bay (MNF) - L

Week 17

vs. Las Vegas - W

Week 18

at Tampa Bay - W

The Saints have been flirting with disaster for years due to their treatment of the salary cap. There have been signs the end is near for this experiment they've been conducting, but it won't fizzle out this season.

The defense is still too good, and the offense isn't bad enough. With a favorable end to the schedule, after a couple of win-less droughts, the Saints come together and play for pride, winning four of their last five.

It's a promising start to the next off-season where they will dazzle the football world with another helping of their world-famous salary cap gymnastics.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 10-7 (4-2 NFC South)

Week 1

vs. Washington - W

Week 2

at Detroit - L

Week 3

vs. Denver - W

Week 4

vs. Philadelphia - W

Week 5

at Atlanta (TNF) - L

Week 6

at New Orleans - W

Week 7

vs. Baltimore (MNF) - L

Week 8

vs. Atlanta - W

Week 9

at Kansas City - L (MNF)

Week 10

vs. San Francisco - L

Week 11

Bye

Week 12

at New York Giants - W

Week 13

at Carolina - W

Week 14

vs. Las Vegas - W

Week 15

at Los Angeles Chargers - W

Week 16

at Dallas (SNF) - L

Week 17

vs. Carolina - W

Week 18

vs. New Orleans - L

The back-to-back-to-back NFC South champions do everything they can to retain their title. Tampa Bay comes out of the bye scorching, bringing in a four-game winning stretch into Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys, but they couldn't get the job done.

If anyone is going to stop Atlanta from winning this division, it'll be Tampa and their commitment to get everything they can out of this talented roster. Even in this exercise, they are a week 18 Saints loss away from four straight NFC South titles.

Those ten wins are still enough to sneak in as a wild-card team, though.

Atlanta Falcons

Record: 10-7 (4-2 NFC South)

Week 1

vs. Pittsburgh - W

Week 2

at Philadelphia (MNF) - L

Week 3

vs. Kansas City (SNF) - L

Week 4

vs. New Orleans - W

Week 5

vs. Tampa Bay (TNF) - W

Week 6

at Carolina - W

Week 7

vs. Seattle - L

Week 8

at Tampa Bay - L

Week 9

vs. Dallas - W

Week 10

at New Orleans - W

Week 11

at Denver - L

Week 12

Bye

Week 13

vs. Los Angeles Chargers - W

Week 14

at Minnesota - L

Week 15

at Las Vegas (MNF) - W

Week 16

vs. New York Giants - W

Week 17

at Washington - W

Week 18

vs. Carolina - L

Atlanta looks to have done enough to overtake the Buccaneers as the champions of the NFC South. They've overhauled and essentially modernized the offense. They've brought in a quarterback that will get the most out of the talented weapons on the roster. They've done what they need to become a playoff team, and it comes to fruition for them this season.

The three-game win-streak before being upset by Carolina in week 18 was just enough to win the division for Atlanta and secure their first home playoff game since 2016.