NFL: One bold prediction for every team in 2021-22
![Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rushes back to the locker room after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns Extras 10](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F954d021f769fef845fdf11f1b6e38fba1938440b3910b3d1749056b1111c073e.jpg "Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rushes back to the locker room after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]Browns Extras 10")
One bold prediction for the New Orleans Saints in 2021-22: Win the NFC South
At this point, the NFC South should be renamed “Saints town”.
For four consecutive years, the New Orleans Saints have won double-digit games and subsequently, the NFC South crown. Many are expecting things to be different this year. With quarterback Drew Brees officially picking up his ball and going home, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are viewed as the clear division favorites. While it’s understandable, Brady and company will ultimately finish second.
All of the pieces are still there for the Saints. Michael Thomas is still arguably the best receiver in the game, injuries slowed him down last year and it doesn’t appear as though he’ll be starting off the year on time either. Still, even without him for the time being, Alvin Kamara is as good as any running back in the league.
Defensively, Malcolm Jenkins is still one of the better safeties, Marshon Lattimore is capable of locking down top-flight receivers and Cameron Jordan will continue to wrap up quarterbacks in the backfield.
Whether it’s Jameis Winston throwing the ball or Taysom Hill attempting to be the new age version of Cam Newton, both players have shown a ton of promise. Hill in particular led the Saints to a 3-1 record during the halfway point of the season. Regardless of who it is, head coach Sean Payton will have them ready to ball out. If you think for one second that the Saints are going to simply lay down and allow the Buccaneers to take over their division, you’ve got another thing coming.