Already a mere two games into the season the division is shaking out pretty much how I and most people thought, though not exactly. It's a two team race. Atlanta put it to the Vikings, a supposed contender, on their home turf. That indicates that the Bucs did well to escape ATL with any kind of win. The Panthers and Saints are already showing they are also rans.
I thought the Panthers would take another step forward. Instead it seems they won't be doing that, and it won't be long before Canales is on the hot seat. The Saints are in a long term building plan. Nobody thought they would win, and nothing's changed.
Atlanta is better than I thought. I thought they'd fold their tent this year, but it seems they'll give the Bucs a run for their money. Beating the Falcons the next time they see them in RJ will be huge, but on the other hand the Falcons won both matchups last year and still lost the division.
It's a two team race, but by no means do I think the Falcons will fold up shop this year. For them to rip Minnesota a new one after a tough loss to the Bucs shows me it's going to be a long hardfought battle for the division crown and I can easily see both teams making the playoffs at 11-6 or better.