Can The 2015 Atlanta Falcons Win The NFC South?
By John Buhler
Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Last year came as a surprise to the entire NFC South division. While it was still very competitive, it just wasn’t very good as the Carolina Panthers won the South with a 7-9 record. The New Orleans Saints were also 7-9, the Atlanta Falcons were 6-10, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 2-14 and had the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. While Tampa Bay might be a little ways back of their division rivals, I expect a close race to the finish line for the other three teams. Can the 2015 Atlanta Falcons win the NFC South?
NFC South Games (6 Apiece)
Due to the historical competitiveness of the NFC South, no team is going to run a divisional sweep in this projection. In years past, a division winner can easily split their rivalry games and still finish with 10+ wins on the season. The 2012 Atlanta Falcons finished 13-3 on the season but split all three division series. How a team does in divisional play helps create separation in the standings as well as set tie-breaking scenarios should it come to them.
I project that Atlanta will go 4-2 in the NFC South this fall. The Falcons will probably split with the Saints and Panthers and end up sweeping the Bucs. Carolina goes 5-1, their lone loss to Atlanta in the Georgia Dome. New Orleans goes 2-4, they will split with Atlanta and Tampa Bay but will get swept by the Panthers. Tampa Bay ends up 1-5 in divisional play, they’ll beat the Saints at home.
Next: NFC East Games