New Orleans Saints: Who is their biggest NFC South worry?

With 2018 creeping even closer, the New Orleans Saints are early favorites to win the NFC South. Even so, a stacked division is still in the way.

Heading into the 2018 regular season, the New Orleans Saints are poised for a huge year. Many are assuming they’ll make a Super Bowl run and clinch the NFC South again. As exciting as that may be, the Saints still have a fierce competition to become division champions again.

With training camp getting underway in just a few short weeks, it’s time to look ahead at the Saints’ competition. Of all their NFC South rivals, who is their biggest threat? As I’m sure we all know, a case can be made for each team, so let’s get into it and see who should have the Saints worried.

First is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Of all the teams, the Bucs don’t pose as big of a threat as the others. After an abysmal 2017 year, the team is still building. Coupled with the suspension of Jameis Winston, the Bucs have a steep uphill climb.

The one bright spot for the Bucs is their defense, but matching up against the Saints offense is hard. If anything, I see the Saints beating the Bucs in the first game and possibly losing the second. Even so, they aren’t worth worrying over as far as the NFC South crown stands.

With the obvious one out of the way, it’s time to move on to the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. This is where it gets tricky as the Saints faced the Panthers in the playoffs and the Falcons beat them once. One team sticks out more than the other, however.

The Panthers have had been up-and-down in recent years, but managed to make the playoffs in 2017. Coupled with Cam Newton’s dynamic play and a stellar overall defense, the team was successful from the middle of the season on. The team truly lacked a good wide receiver but addressed that during the offseason.

The Panthers ultimately lost in the playoffs to New Orleans due to the Saints defense. That could be their downfall in 2018 as well. Add in the loss of their owner and the team has the potential to struggle. Even so, they’re still a worthy opponent for the Saints and a favorite to win the NFC South, too.

The team that worries me the most is the Atlanta Falcons. Last season, they just barely lost to the Eagles in the playoffs and held a 10-6 record. Between their two matchups, the Saints and Falcons went toe-to-toe with each other. In 2017, their defense was powerful along with the running back duo of Coleman and Freeman.

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In 2018, it looks to be even more elevated. Matt Ryan just signed a huge contract and they drafted wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Matt Ryan is looking ahead to another Super Bowl and the Saints are stiff competition. The main issue with the Falcons is Julio Jones or their lack of Jones this offseason.

Losing Jones would be a huge hit to their depth chart. Even with Ridley, they would still struggle. With such a strong defense and a Julio-centered offense, the Falcons are easily the Saints biggest competitor for the NFC South.