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NFC South 2025 Preview: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints
The South was the NFC’s weakest division last season, producing only one playoff team, the Buccaneers, who went on to lose in the Wild Card round.
The Saints and the Panthers struggled, and the Falcons tumbled out of contention in the second half.
Gavin Babbitt previews the 2025 NFC South and predicts the final standings for DAZN News .
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DAZN BET Division Odds: 1/1
2024 Record: 10-7
Baker Mayfield was dynamic in his second year in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers’ offense was highly efficient, producing big runs and plays after the catch. They lost four straight from mid-October to Thanksgiving, but had a 6-1 record thereafter.
If they can remain healthy, the Bucs' offense should be one of the league's best. All five linemen return for Mayfield, along with Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka . Chris Godwin is targeting a return in October from his ankle injury last season, deepening the Buccaneers' receiving arsenal.
Mayfield will throw handsomely to Evans, particularly in the red zone. The pair garnered 12 touchdowns last season. Egbuka is a great complement running routes underneath as the team awaits Godwin's return.
Running back Bucky Irving impressed as a rookie. He is elusive and a true dual threat. With the talent of this offensive line, chunk-yardage plays are on the way for Irving and fellow back Rachaad White, even through the air.
Defensively, the Buccaneers welcome back their pass-rushing core with Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, and Yaya Diaby. Tampa signed Haason Reddick to a one-year deal to assist ; he has four 10-plus sack seasons. This collection is above average.
The second and third levels of this defense can improve drastically by tackling better. With a healthy Antoine Winfield and Tykee Smith at safety, and Lavonte David at linebacker, the group will execute on that. Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum return on the corners, who cover well.
The Buccaneers have a deep playoff run in them if they can shore up the tackling and dodge early injury concerns with Chris Godwin and elite left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Atlanta Falcons
DAZN BET Division Odds: 9/4
2024 Record: 8-9
Atlanta started last year 6-3 and was the favorite to win the division. They finished losing six of their last eight games, which included a quarterback swap: Michael Penix for Kirk Cousins.
Penix has taken over as the starting quarterback as Atlanta prepares for 2025. He is loaded with skill players, including Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Darnell Mooney.
Tackles Kaleb McGary and Jake Matthews earned extensions after this offensive line finished in the top 10 in sacks allowed. Unfortunately, McGary was lost for the season after suffering a leg injury .
Robinson is an elite NFL back and scored 15 touchdowns last season. He’s likely to improve on that total this year. London and Mooney are vertical receivers capable of consistent big plays. Both averaged more than 12 yards per catch in 2024. Bank on a jump in touchdowns through the air so long as Penix has a feel for this offense in his second NFL season.
The Falcons’ defense must improve for Atlanta to impact the NFC playoffs. The pass-rush struggled, and the secondary gave up scores through the air.
Atlanta selected James Pearce and Jalon Walker in the 2025 NFL draft and signed Leonard Floyd in free agency to help up front.
Adding Divine Deablo will serve the run defense in front of Jessie Bates, AJ Terrell, and Mike Hughes on the back end. Third-round pick Xavier Watts will play with Bates at safety. This is a good coverage group, but they must force turnovers and protect the end zone. Slot cornerback Dee Alford has to improve in coverage.
The Falcons have question marks, making it difficult to say if they can contend in this division. If Penix throws exceed expectations, and they improve defensively, they will jostle Tampa Bay.
Carolina Panthers
DAZN BET Division Odds: 4/1
2024 Record: 5-12
Panthers fans were left disappointed in 2024. The Carolina defense was arguably the NFL’s worst, allowing yardage and touchdowns all over the field. This, paired with an offense lacking explosiveness, led to the league's worst point differential (-193).
Dave Canales embarks on his second year as head coach in Carolina, hoping for progress from Bryce Young. The third-year quarterback looks to build on a solid second half of 2024 with improved throwing efficiency.
Ryan Kang/Getty Images
The Panthers’ offensive line is positioned to help. All starters are back. With Austin Corbett’s health, the group will be more cohesive. Chuba Hubbard returns as the feature back. He is a top-10 player in yards per carry and coming off a 10-touchdown season. He is ready to break out.
No. 8 overall pick Tet McMillan and Xavier Legette will carry the receiving load with Adam Thielen being traded to Minnesota . This passing game is relying on youth in 2025. It's now or never for Young to make this offense go.
The Panthers invested in their defense with hopes of erasing last season’s performance. Christian Rozeboom and Patrick Jones are aboard at linebacker. Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown were added up front. With health, this front seven will improve in stopping the run and rushing the passer.
Tre’von Moehrig is the biggest addition to the Panthers’ defense on the back end . The secondary is the X-factor for this team. Without better coverage in the red zone, the improvements offensively may be spoiled. It's possible with the addition of Moehrig and a bounce-back year from cornerback Jaycee Horn.
The Panthers are in a better spot than they have been recently. Improvement is the goal, but contention is multiple seasons away. Keep an eye on Bryce Young and this defense to gauge their progress.
New Orleans Saints
DAZN BET Division Odds: 11/1
2024 Record: 5-12
The Saints were good offensively after a 2-0 start in 2024. The offense then imploded after being forced to play three different quarterbacks. New Orleans proceeded to lose its next seven games and closed with another four game losing streak.
Kellen Moore was hired as the Saints’ head coach this offseason. Moore is an experienced offensive coordinator, but faces a conundrum at quarterback. Spencer Rattler has been named the starter , but the quarterback group has limited experience.
This offensive line executed well running the ball last season, but has room for improvement in the passing game. The Saints selected tackle Kelvin Banks in the first round , a great pass-blocking prospect. This group’s performance is the most integral of any line in the league to its offense.
The Saints’ playmakers include Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks, who returns home. Kamara is unquestionably the lead back and will draw a heavy workload, something the Saints must monitor so he is available.
(Getty Images)
This Saints defense was not good last year, but held up in the red zone. Adding Justin Reid at safety will help it reduce yardage downfield, but the secondary lost Paulson Adebo at corner. With total yardage allowed being a problem, they need Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry to improve at cornerback.
The front seven is led by Cam Jordan, Chase Young and linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner. This unit underachieved last year. Better from this group is the quickest way this defense can get better.
Opponents succeeded in running the ball against the Saints last season. If they don’t improve there, and get poor quarterback play, it will be a long year in the French Quarter.
Summary
The NFC South is up for grabs for two teams: the Buccaneers and the Falcons. Tampa Bay is excellent offensively and has a simple fix on defense: improving its tackling.
The Falcons need Michael Penix to play up to the potential they envisaged when selecting him in the top 10 in 2024. He throws well, and has elite playmakers around him.
The Saints and the Panthers are in the development stage and will have to wait for their shot among this group. Tampa Bay has a small edge over Atlanta heading into the season.
2025 Projected standings
- Buccaneers: 11-6
- Falcons: 10-7
- Panthers: 6-11
- Saints: 3-14
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