2008 NFC South Predictions

Find out who is the team to beat in Jeff Alexander’s 2008 NFC South predictions. This division is so up and down every year that it can be tough to gage at times, but Jeff has a great handle on the league in the upcoming season.

1st – New Orleans Saints: 22-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

We know the Saints can score with QB Drew Brees leading a prolific offense, but the defense needed to be upgraded. The organization answered the call. They signed defensive end Bobby McCray and traded up to get USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft. Veterans Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan were added at linebacker. The Saints added corners Randall Gay and Aaron Glenn in free agency and they drafted Indiana corner Tracy Porter in the second round. The Saints won’t even need all of these moves to pay off to win the division. The betting line on New Orleans is 1-1 odds to win the NFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

2nd – Carolina Panthers: 40-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

Another run-happy season in Carolina will have the Panthers playing competitive football. Beefy guards Milford Brown, Toniu Fonoti, and Keydrick Vincent were brought in via free agency to shore up the line. The Panthers landed star Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart with the 13th overall pick in the draft. He’ll provide the thunder and DeAngelo Williams will provide the lighting in John Fox’s successful two-back system. If QB Jake Delhomme can return near 100 percent from Tommy John surgery, the Panthers might give the Saints a run for their money. The betting line on Carolina is 11-5 odds to win the NFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

3rd – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 40-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

Defense always comes first in Tampa so we shouldn’t be surprised that an obvious need for offensive playmakers was ignored and Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib was taken in the first round of the draft. The Bucs continue to try to find offensive answers with veterans and their latest attempt is the signing of running back Warrick Dunn. At age 33, he’s not the player he once was. Gruden continues to stockpile veteran QB’s who virtually no one else wants. He likely won’t rest until he gets Brett Favre. Even that move wouldn’t result in a division title as there are no playmakers on offense. The Bucs are doing enough to be competitive in a weak division, but the moves they’re making don’t appear to be those consistent with striving for a Super Bowl. The betting line on Tampa Bay is 9-4 odds to win the NFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

4th – Atlanta Falcons: 150-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

No team is counted as a bigger long shot to win the Super Bowl and rightfully so. Their star QB is serving 23 months in Leavenworth. Don’t expect No. 3 overall draft pick Matt Ryan to be the second coming of Vick either. It is likely that he won’t even be ready to start by opening day. New head coach Mike Smith will try to win with defense and the running game for now. The betting line on Atlanta is 14-1 odds to win the NFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

WhatIfSports.com doesn’t quite see to eye to eye with our 2008 NFC South Predictions, but we’ll let you be the judge.

2008 NFC South Predictions

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