New Orleans Saints: Biggest challenge in NFC South?

The New Orleans Saints share a division with last two Super Bowl runners-up and a possible contender, but who is their biggest challenge in 2017?

The New Orleans Saints might have improved this offseason, but they aren’t the only ones in their division who has. The Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in some playmakers, while the Atlanta Falcons are still riding off their Super Bowl high. All three are a challenge, but which NFC South team will be the hardest for the Saints to overtake?

First looking at the Panthers, they couldn’t sustain a winning record last season after playing in Super Bowl 50. The team is working to change that now, though, most notably with the drafting of Christian McCaffrey. It’s unclear how good McCaffrey will be, but if he’s even a fraction as good as he was in college, he’ll be a problem for the Saints. With Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram in the backfield, the Panthers will have to be extra cautious too.

The Panthers might seem scary at first, but the Saints have the tools to beat them. They were even able to lure Ted Ginn Jr. back to their side. With Cam Newton’s recent inconsistency and a dwindling defense, I don’t see the Panthers being a huge challenge. However, the Saints should be worried about the Falcons and the Buccaneers.

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Atlanta tremendous last season up until the Super Bowl. Insert cheesy and played-out “they blew a 28-3 lead joke” here, but they were no joke. The Falcons beat the Saints in both games and exposed their defense, as well as Drew Brees. The main concern for the Falcons was their defense.

Using the Super Bowl as an example, their defense got worn out and, with a lot of young guys, that’s not a good sign. They did draft Takkarist McKinley and signed Dontari Poe, which is a good sign. But their defense is not as high caliber as it should be. What they lack in defense, they make up for in a stellar offense, but all the Saints new defensive additions could be the answer to that problem.

The Falcons are definitely a strong team, but still have room for improvement. As long as the Saints can keep their cool and not let the Falcons get ahead, then they’re set. While the Saints suffered two losses at the Falcons hands (talons?), they might have the tools to pull one, or maybe two wins against them this season.

Lastly is the Buccaneers, who I see as the Saints biggest challenge this year. The Bucs made a splash in free agency, filled needs in the draft and have a young quarterback full of promise and hot air but mostly promise.

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Since drafting Jameis Winston, the Buccaneers have been on a slow but successful rebuilding phase. This past offseason, they worked to find weapons for Winston and did that with the addition of DeSean Jackson and drafted a tight end and wide receiver in the first and third round, adding weapons around the always dynamic Mike Evans.

Defensively, the team made moves too. The addition of J.J. Wilcox helps stabilize the safety position and they also drafted Justin Evans. Anchored by other defensive playmakers like Brent Grimes, Gerald McCoy, and Kwon Alexander, the Bucs are in good shape for this upcoming season.

The Saints definitely have their work cut out for them with the Buccaneers. They’re firing on all cylinders and trying to stop them will be difficult. Beating them will be tough but Drew Brees and company don’t give up too easily. It’ll be a fight for both, but watching them face off will be a treat.

Next: Early O/U win prediction for Saints, all 32 teams

While I see the Bucs as their biggest challenge, the New Orleans Saints aren’t free and clear. They still have to worry about the Panthers and the Falcons. If New Orleans can finally put all the pieces together, they might finally be over their hump of 7-9 seasons.