Preseason Win-Loss Predictions for Every Team: NFC South Edition

Our series continues with my preseason win-loss prediction for every NFL team this season.  Please note that I will bravely [?] refuse to change any of my projections based on meaningless said preseason games, so if I look crazy later, I'm just lazy.  This time, we will take a look at the NFC South:

Atlanta Falcons

Predicted Record: 10 - 6

In A Sentence: The Falcons' pass offense sets a fire not seen in Atlanta since the Civil War and wins the Dirty Birds plenty of games that the rushing game will not.

Playoff Chances: The Falcons take advantage of the flummoxed Saints and still up-and-coming Panthers and Buccaneers for the division crown, thereby continuing the streak of attrition in the NFC South.

Best Game: The Falcons-Saints rivalry should continue to be fantastic, high-octane drama this year with Atlanta seeking revenge after being totally bulldozed by Drew Brees' record smasher last December.

Upset Pick: Tampa starts looking like a divisional contender by putting a damper on Atlanta's firepower at Raymond James in Week 12.

New Orleans Saints

Predicted Record: 9 -7

In A Sentence: The Saints show their resilience with that old faithful juggernaut offense, but baby steps on defense and a lack of stable leadership on the sidelines will put a few more notches in the loss column this year in NOLA.

Playoff Chances: Believe you me I hope that I am utterly wrong on this one, but I just don't see the Saints pulling off a playoff appearance this season with the adversity they have faced and all of the adjustments ahead for the defense and coaching staff.  They'll still look respectable, all things considered, but they'll be upstairs instead of on the field at the Superdome next February.

Best Game: The Saints always seem to play their lights-out best against the league's best teams, and methinks they'll be more than motivated to pay back the 49ers for the last postseason in front of a raucous home crowd in Week 12.

Upset Pick: Conversely, the Saints always seem to play pitifully against struggling teams (the 2010 Browns/Cardinals/Seahawks and 2011 Rams/Buccaneers, anyone?).  I say they make the Oakland Raiders look just as good as the preseason Jaguars in Week 11.

Carolina Panthers

Predicted Record: 8 - 8

In A Sentence: The Panthers will continue to improve as Cam Newtown matures and the defense settles down, just not as much as a lot of people are projecting just yet.

Playoff Chances: I know the Panthers are the trendy "dark horse" playoff pick these days, which is no longer a dark horse pick by virtue of being trendy.  It's totally possible, but with so much competition in the division and the NFC at large, the Panthers will likely need some missteps to happen elsewhere in the conference to crash the party this year.

Best Game: Squaring off with RG3 and the Redskins in Week 9 should be a rocking good time, but for the sake of the Carolina's playoff chances, they should plan on taking advantage of a vulnerable Saints team at home in Week 2.

Upset Pick: Assuming they can get their QB quagmire in order, the Seahawks look to spoil the fun in Carolina in Week 5 by slowing Cam Newton down with a rock star defense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Predicted Record: 6 - 10

In A Sentence: Like the Eagles last year, it will take the Bucs some time to mold a young and newly assembled squad into a true team provided the offense can stay healthy.

Playoff Chances: Very much on the outside looking in here in the NFC South.  Also, is it just me or is everyone overlooking the fact that while Greg Schiano is a great human interest story, he wasn't all that spectacular at Rutgers?  Yes, Rutgers.

Best Game: Save for the upset pick below, the Bucs have a tough early schedule, so it may take until Week 6 when the Chiefs come to town before they can find some stable footing under the new regime.

Upset Pick: As stated above, Tampa really starts to turn the corner more consistently by Week 12 when they surprise a hot Falcons team at home.