All Four NFC South Teams Bunched Up on Sportsbooks
Scott Morris | September 4, 2017
Opening kickoff of the 2017 NFL regular season is three days away. The NFC South division may not be the strongest in the NFL, but it likely will be one of the most interesting. All four teams on paper could end up on top, but the defending division champions the Atlanta Falcons are the favorites to win the title again this season.
The Falcons are favored at +170 to win the NFC South again in 2017, with the Carolina Panthers having the second shortest odds at +225, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at +350 and the New Orleans Saints at +400.
No drastic change in personnel was made by Atlanta following its devastating loss to New England in Super Bowl LI.
However, star quarterback Matt Ryan along with the entire Falcons offense must adjust to having a new offensive coordinator in Steve Sarkisian who replaced Kyle Shanahan the new head coach for San Francisco.
How Sarkisian and Ryan click will be the key factor in Atlanta’s continued success or failure on offense this season. Ryan, the MVP of the NFL last season, led the best offense in the NFL and must like the new offensive scheme or it will be a long season for the Falcons.
Offensively the weapons remain the same, while the defensive side received a great deal of help during the offseason that could help to improve on the team’s 11-5 record of last season.
Carolina looks to star quarterback Cam Newton to fuel a successful season. Last season, Newton’s injuries slowed him and thus the entire offense but if he remains healthy, the Panthers have to talent to win the division. Christian McCaffrey, picked No. 8 in the NFL draft will pair up with Jonathan Stewart for Carolina to make one of the league’s strongest running attacks.
Tampa Bay was second last season in the NFC South at 9-7 and could threaten the top spot this season. With wide receiver DeSean Jackson signed during free agency and wide receiver Chris Goodwin drafted, the Buccaneers passing attack becomes scary with returnees O.J. Howard at tight end and Mike Evans at wideout.
Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston now has four top skill position players to pass to. The +350 offered for Tampa Bay may be the best value of the four teams in the NFC South.
New Orleans will have prolific passer Drew Brees back under center. Brees will have veteran running back Adrian Peterson and last year’s starter Mark Ingram to help keep defenses off balance, but the defense for the Saints will give up too many points.
