2014 NFL Season Previews: NFC South

The NFL season preview is wrapping up and my last division is the NFC South. This division has been one of the strongest divisions in the NFL for the last couple of years and will probably continue to be that way this year. Last year was an off year for the division with the Falcons and Buccaneers being among the worst teams in the league but I don't expect that to continue this year. All the teams have gotten better except for the Panthers and it will probably shift the division around a lot. Here's my outlook.

1. New Orleans Saints

2013: 11-5. 2^nd in the NFC South. Lost in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

Key Losses: Darren Sproiles, Lance Moore, Jed Collins, Robert Meachem, Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins.

Key Additions: Brandin Cooks,sErik Long, Brodrick Bunkley, Jarius Byrd.

Toughest Match-ups: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens.

2014:

The Saints were one of the best teams in the league last year. They showed it by going 11-5 and making the playoffs. The offense was the strength of the team as always but last year the defense was actually pretty good under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. They just ran into the juggernaut defense of the Seahawks in the playoffs. This year I expect the Saints to be even better with the addition of Jarius Byrd at safety and Brandin Cooks at wide receiver. Byrds acqusition could mean more turnovers created for the defense. Byrd has 22 interception and 11 forced fumbles in his 5 year career. The drafting of rookie Brandin Cooks to couple with Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham should really help open up the offense more. It should really help teams not focus on Jimmy Graham as much if they have anther dangerous option in the pass game. The Saints are going to run through most of their schedule. I see them going 13-3.

2.Tampa Bay Buccaneers