2014 NFL Predictions: The NFC SouthMay 24, 2014 James Turnage Fox SportsPredicting the NFC South is almost too easy. The best team has the best coach and the best fans. Let’s talk about it anyway. They still have to play the games. 
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed a lot of help. They had a dismal 2013 season. The best thing that happened to them was the addition of two coaches: Head Coach Lovie Smith, and Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier. Both will bring new approaches and a new attitude to a team which needs repair in many areas.Their 2014 Draft selections were all on the offensive side of the ball, and they were needed. I continue to question if Josh McCown can be the QB to lead them to more victories this season. He will have a new target in first draft pick WR Mike Evans. The 6 feet 5 inch 231 pound Texas A&M star averaged 20.2 yards per catch; the most in the nation. Other significant choices were a TE, a RB, and two Offensive Linemen. Their defense is solid, but will additions to the offense be sufficient to score more points? The NFC South may be the most balanced division in the NFL. 
The Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton is in his fourth year. It’s time for him to step up as the team leader and help his team challenge the Saints and Falcons for the division championship. RB DeAngelo Williams is in his 9th year, and will have to have a good season to provide a balanced attack.In the 2014 Draft, their first choice was WR Kelvin Benjamin from Florida State. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall weighing 241 pounds. He averaged nearly 18 yards per catch. The Panthers second choice was DE Kony Ealy from Missouri. 3rd was an OG, 4th a SS, and 5th a CB. All five could be starters filling need on both offense and defense. Does Head Coach Ron Rivera have all the pieces he needs to challenge in his division? 
The 2014 season begins on September 4th. Atlanta Falcons QB Matt, “Mattie Ice,” Ryan has plenty of offense at his disposal. Roddy White and Harry Douglas are talented veteran receivers. If RB Steven Jackson can stay healthy, they will have a well-balanced offense.The 2014 Draft appears to have been successful, filling or adding to positions needing improvement. Their first selection, Jake Matthews, OT, is the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall and 308 pounds. He was a team captain at Texas A&M. Their second selection was Ra’Shede Hageman from Missouri. He is a 6 feet 6 inch 310 pound DT from Minnesota. Both will likely start on day one. Among their other choices was a 5’8” RB from Florida State, Devonta Freeman who gained over 1,000 yards in 2013.Can Mike Smith use his talent and produce a Division Champion after a dismal 2013 season?
I am a Drew Brees fanatic. He does not receive as much attention as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or even Aaron Rodgers, but he stands tall when measured against their accomplishments. Together with New Orleans Saints’ Head Coach Sean Payton they provide the best offensive combination in all of football. If Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan can increase the effectiveness of the Saints’ defense, New Orleans should have a successful season.The challenge for Brees is at the WR position. He has to learn to work with many new players. Of course he still has TE Jimmy Graham. Oregon St. WR Brandin Cooks (5’10?, 189 lbs.), was their first pick in the 2014 Draft. As a WR and running back kickoffs, he amassed 3,863 all-purpose yards. In the second round they chose Nebraska DB Stanley Jean-Baptiste. At 6 feet 3 inches tall and 218 pounds he will add a challenge for opposing QB’s.As I stated at the beginning of this article, the best Coach in the division will take his team to the playoffs, and that is Sean Payton. He may be the best Head Coach in all of the NFL. The New Orleans Saints should find themselves at the top once again.I enjoy watching Matt Ryan play. I’m just not certain that he can take the Falcons to the playoffs in 2014. I believe they will end up in third place behind the Carolina Panthers.And I believe the Panthers will make the playoffs as a wild card team. Cam Newton is a double edged threat presenting big challenges for Defensive Coordinators.Unfortunately the Buccaneers will once again finish the division in 4th place. I am not a fan of Josh McCown. I believe they will continue to need a franchise QB.
