2019 NFL predictions: How will the NFC shake out?
- Atlanta Falcons 11-5
- New Orleans Saints 7-9
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10
- Carolina Panthers 4-12
The Atlanta Falcons have one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the NFL and it should even be better this year after they bolstered the offensive line in the 2019 NFL Draft. First-round picks Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom should be able to make an immediate impact for the Falcons up front.
Injuries plagued Atlanta throughout last season, causing them to finish only 7-9. Dan Quinn taking back control of the defense puts him on the hot seat if he can’t get the job done and improve a middle-of-the-pack defensive unit. Second-year wide receiver Calvin Ridley is a major breakout candidate and could establish himself as an elite option in the offense.
The New Orleans Saints were one of the best teams in the entire NFL a year ago, but how long can Drew Brees keep putting up big numbers and lead this team? The Saints defense is usually good one year and bad the next, so expecting it to be solid again is something I don’t see happening.
Losing Mark Ingram, a solid power runner up the middle will have an impact on Alvin Kamara and the whole offensive unit for the Saints. If the Saints put too much of a load on Kamara, he could easily break down, making Latavius Murray an extremely important player for them.
The Buccaneers will be a much better-coached team in 2019, although Atlanta and New Orleans are still better than them in the division. They lost a defensive stud in Gerald McCoy and replaced him with Ndamukong Suh, both are similar players on the defensive line. If we are being honest, Tampa Bay’s entire season probably comes down to whether Bruce Arians can help Jameis Winston improve in a significant way.
The Carolina Panthers were on a downward slide last season, dropping six games in a row and falling out of playoff contention. The same issues from last year persist and Cam Newton may not be ready for Week 1, spelling for a long season in Charlotte. Good thing the Panthers drafted quarterback Will Grier in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft If Newton isn’t ready to play.
Carolina lost Devin Funchess in free agency this offseason and will be relying on D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel to take significant steps forward in 2019.