Kirk Cousins raises the Falcons’ performance level
A quick look at the NFC South ahead of the 2024 season, with teams listed in projected order of finish.
Atlanta Falcons
FanDuel says: Super Bowl win: 28-1, Over/Under wins: 9.5
Strengthen: Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London form an enticing offensive trio, and they have a new quarterback who could make them one of the league’s best “triplets” in 2024. The Falcons also have the easiest 2023 schedule in terms of win percentage, although the rest of the division is also in the top five.
Weaken: QB Kirk Cousins is here, but he too is coming off an Achilles injury. The Falcons also drafted Michael Penix Jr. 8th and have a glaring weakness (pass rush) on defense. Cousins probably raises the level, but also sets a clear ceiling.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FanDuel says: Super Bowl win: 65-1, Over/Under wins: 7.5
Strengthen: QB Baker Mayfield was an entertaining comeback story last year. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still strong 1-2 receivers, while Jalen McMillan could add some momentum. The Bucs were a top-10 defense last year, and Antoine Winfield Jr. is a star free safety.
Weaken: This is basically the same team that started 4-7 last year and also crushed the Eagles in a playoff game. The man who revived Mayfield’s career is now working with Bryce Young in Charlotte. This is the most likely division of the league to win, but neither has had a particularly strong offseason.
New Orleans Saints
FanDuel says: Super Bowl win: 100-1, Over/Under wins: 7.5
Strengthen: Chris Olave started his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but doesn’t get quite as much hype as the league’s other top wideouts. The headliners on defense (safety Tyrann Mathieu, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, defensive end Cameron Jordan) all have the potential to still be impactful players.
Weaken: Derek Carr is an average quarterback. There are no game-winning players. Mathieu and Jordan are old. The level of this team is so close that the players have to duck.
Carolina Panthers
FanDuel says: Super Bowl win: 300-1, Over/Under wins: 5.5
Strengthen: The interior of both lines should be pretty good after some aggressive free agent shopping. Carolina has signed receivers Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette and running back Jonathan Brooks for the skill positions – Legette and Brooks could make it big in the NFL with Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. They have their first-round pick this year (unlike last year) and it should be very high again.
Weaken: Last year, everything was bad, both on and off the field. The Panthers also traded away their best player, defensive end Brian Burns. Young had a rough rookie season and now has his third head coach (Frank Reich, interim coach Chris Tabor and newly hired Dave Canales).
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