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NFL Predictions: 2014 Winners and losers

By Bryan Gibberman

Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Colisuem. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) reacts against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Colisuem. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /

NFC South

1st Place- New Orleans Saints

2nd Place- Atlanta Falcons 

3rd Place- Carolina Panthers

4th Place- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Sometimes it’s good to not over think things. Quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton are the best QB/HC combination in this division. A lot more goes into football then just those spots, but those are two of the most important aspects of an NFL franchise. New Orleans has depth at wide receiver and running back. There has been some upheaval with the offensive line which Brees will have to work through. With Rob Ryan taking over as defensive coordinator in 2013 the Saints jumped from 28th in DVOA to ninth. Safety Jarius Byrd was signed during the offseason to try to take the defense to an even higher level.

Everything that could have went wrong for the Falcons did in 2013. The 4-12 record was their first losing mark since 2007 and the first under head coach Mike Smith. When your offense is built around wide receivers Roddy White and Julion Jones it can’t afford to not have White and Jones play at a peak level. White spent most of the year dealing with a high ankle sprain and Jones only participated in five games. The offensive line lost starting left tackle Sam Baker during the preseason, but he’s had more negative than positive over the course of his career.

Highly regarded rookie Jake Matthews will be placed with the task of protecting quarterback Matt Ryan’s blindside. While Baker wasn’t good, the man sliding in the right tackle spot, Lamar Holmes, was even worse according to Pro Football Focus in 2013. Atlanta needs him to be solid to help solidify the offensive line. The Falcons defense is iffy. During the offseason they did add Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai through free agency plus drafted Ra’Shede Hageman in attempt to improve the defensive line. The rebuilding of the defense seems more like a two-year project than a one.

This is probably the aspect of football season I’m looking forward to the least — the Cam Newton backlash. If the Panthers are one of the fallback teams as many expect them to be the single player who will catch the most heat is Newton. Not the previous Carolina regime for butchering their salary cap situation or the fact the offensive line is a mess — Cam Newton, Cam Newton and Cam Newton. For his sake I hope the Panthers put together a decent season, even if they don’t perform to the level they did last year. Riverboat Ron please keep Riverboat Roning it.

The Buccaneers going from Greg Schiano to Lovie Smith is an upgrade at the head coaching position. There are pieces in place to put together a solid offensive team featuring running back Doug Martin, wide receivers Vince Jackson and rookie Mike Evans. The problems are Josh McCown at QB and the offensive line is a complete mess. It will be hard for Tampa to overcome these two issues in 2014.

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