NFC South: Biggest question for each team in 2021

It’s a division that has sent a team to the Super Bowl three times in the past seven seasons. And the NFC South enters 2021 without one of its most legendary players.

The NFC South is a division that houses the defending Super Bowl champions. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are very prepared to make a run at becoming the first team in the league to repeat as Lombardi Trophy winners since the 2003 and 2004 New England Patriots.

Of course, the club’s starting quarterback knows a little something about that back-to-back success. Tom Brady was at the helm of Bill Belichick’s club nearly two decades ago.

Now he’s the leader of Bruce Arians’ squad and the Bucs are looking to not only repeat as NFL title holders, the franchise hasn’t won a division title since 2007.

Every team in the NFC South has been to the Super Bowl since 2009.

As for the remainder of this division, there are new starting quarterbacks in the Crescent City and in Charlotte. As for the former, Sean Payton’s team will certainly miss prolific Drew Brees. But this is a team that has played without the veteran for stretches the past two seasons. And this is a club that has won a franchise-best four consecutive NFC South titles.

The Panthers were last in the playoffs in 2017. The team has posted consecutive 5-11 seasons but did make strides under first-time NFL head coach Matt Rhule. That was also the last time the Atlanta Falcons reached the postseason. Matt Ryan has a new sideline leader in Arthur Smith. But the franchise dealt productive wideout Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans. So what is the biggest question for each of these teams in 2021?

NOTE: Teams are listed in order of finish in 2020.