NFC South Predictions
Written July 25, 2008 by Jason Lowry
Professional handicapper Jason Lowry is ready to bring you his 2008 NFC South predictions. Last year this division really wasn’t anything special as Tampa Bay won the division with just a 9-7 record, but its not all their fault as the Panthers struggled without Jake Delhomme at quarterback, the Saints simply fell off the face of the earth once Deuce went out with a season ending injury, and who can forget the Falcons dealing with all the drama in the Michael Vick dog fighting fiasco. So who knows what were in store for in 2008, but we feel we got the answers in our take on the upcoming season in the NFC South.
1) New Orleans Saints
After starting the season 0-4, the Saints did a great job of winning 4 straight and getting back to .500, but next thing you know they were back to losing and wound up finishing the season at 7-9. With the duo of Deuce and Reggie Bush back in the backfield and the addition of Jeremy Shockey this offense is primed for an explosive season. The defense should be better with the additions of Jonathan Vilma at linebacker, plus rookie Sedrick Ellis is likely to start showing signs why they took him in the 1st round in the draft.
Saints +110 odds to win NFC South at Sportsbook.com
2) Carolina Panthers
We really like the Panthers to come back healthy this season, as long as they have Jake Delhomme healthy at quarterback this team could add at least 2 games to their win total in 2008. The team also added some nice pieces in WR Muhsin Muhammad, WR DJ Hackett, and DT Ian Scott to name a few. The team needs Julius Peppers to get back into his pre 2007 form. We think the Panthers are right around 9-7, maybe even 10-6 if everything goes as planned.
Panthers +250 odds to win NFC South at Sportsbook.com
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
We don’t think the Bucs have what it takes to repeat as champions of the South division this season, Garcia should be good again this season at quarterback, but who does he really have to throw the ball to besides the veteran Joey Galloway. The defense should is solid at almost every position, but we just don’t think they have the fire power to compete with the Saints and a health Panthers team.
Buccaneers +200 odds to win NFC South at Sportsbook.com
4) Atlanta Falcons
Its really a sad story when you look at the Falcons, this team was built around Vick and it should last season, as they were only able to put together a 4 win season. The team hopes it added the quarterback of the future in Matt Ryan as the 3rd pick in this years draft, and a solid addition to the running game in Michael Turner. Don’t expect much improvement right away from the Falcons.
Falcons +1200 odds to win NFC South at Sportsbook.com
Want to get going on the upcoming NFL and NCAA Football betting season? Get over to Sportsbook.com and get an account started today. Also be sure to check out our take on the entire NFL and our Super Bowl Predictions, and don’t forget to take a look at our NCAA football preview and predictions.
