2023 NFL Standings Prediction: NFC South
The NFL regular season is officially a week away, so it’s time to put rubber to the road and officially make predictions for the 2023 NFL standings.
Today, we move over to the NFC South to discuss a division that looks to improve from being a very subpar group in 2022.
1. Carolina Panthers (10-7)
- W @ ATL
- W vs. NO
- L @ SEA
- L vs. MIN
- L @ DET
- L @ MIA
- BYE
- W vs. HOU
- W vs. IND
- W @ CHI
- W vs. DAL
- W @ TEN
- L @ TB
- L @ NO
- W vs. ATL
- W vs. GB
- L @ JAX
- W vs. TB
The Carolina Panthers were one of the biggest spenders in free agency, and they were not shy about adding offensive weapons in free agency. They signed DJ Chark, Hayden Hurst, Miles Sanders, and Adam Thielen while also giving Bradley Bozeman a new contract. With the selection of Jonathan Mingo in the draft as well, Bryce Young will have plenty of weapons to throw to this season.
Even if the worst-case scenario happens, and Young is still rough around the edges, Carolina also brought in veteran QB Andy Dalton who can keep things afloat if necessary.
Then, this Panthers defense quietly was a rather strong unit in 2022, particularly against the run. Carolina’s run defense ranked tied for sixth in EPA/play last season. Additions of Shy Tuttle and Justin Houston only make this group stronger on the front while Vonn Bell will help be a security blanket in the secondary. Carolina may be the most complete team in this division, and their ceiling is extremely high moving forward if Young pans out at QB.
2. New Orleans Saints (10-7)
- W vs. TEN
- L @ CAR
- L @ GB
- W vs. TB
- L @ NE
- W @ HOU
- L vs. JAX
- W @ IND
- W vs. CHI
- L @ MIN
- BYE
- W @ ATL
- L vs. DET
- W vs. CAR
- W vs. NYG
- W @ LAR
- L @ TB
- W vs. ATL
The big move of the offseason for the New Orleans Saints was the acquisition of Derek Carr. They managed to squeeze him in under their salary cap, but it was not without a few big losses along the way. Both David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle are gone from their defensive front. Making matters worse, they both signed with division rivals.
Marcus Davenport and Kaden Elliss also depart from the defense, leaving some question as to who exactly will fill all the holes in the front seven. Of course, they added Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders to help negate the losses of Onyemata and Tuttle. However, that linebacker spot could be a big question mark alongside Demario Davis. We cannot discount the fact that Cam Jordan just turned 34 years of age, either.
At the end of the day, this season will be decided by the availability of New Orleans’ star players. Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first three games of the season, and nobody can possibly know for sure how many games Michael Thomas will play.
Regardless, New Orleans has a fearsome secondary once again that teams will struggle to move the ball against, and with their young emerging players on offense like Kendre Miller and Chris Olave, this team will be competitive within the division.
3. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
- L vs. CAR
- L vs. GB
- L @ DET
- L @ JAX
- W vs. HOU
- L vs. WSH
- W @ TB
- W @ TEN
- W vs. MIN
- W @ ARI
- BYE
- L vs. NO
- L @ NYJ
- W vs. TB
- L @ CAR
- W vs. IND
- L @ CHI
- L @ NO
Like the Panthers, Atlanta spent a lot of money in free agency on veterans. Defensively, they landed both Kaden Elliss and David Onyemata from the Saints and gave their secondary some help with Jessie Bates. Calais Campbell may not be what he was a few years ago, but he offers a veteran pass-rushing presence as well.
The big question for this team is at quarterback. Desmond Ridder didn’t have the greatest rookie season when he got on the field last year, but some of the pressure should be taken off of him with the selection of RB Bijan Robinson. Robinson may be the most talented running back to enter the league since Saquon Barkley and could be in the mix for the league’s leading rusher this season.
However, their schedule is tough with road games against the Lions, Jaguars, and Jets this season. The Falcons are moving in the right direction, but this is a franchise that is still a year away from true contention in the NFC South.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-11)
- L @ MIN
- W vs. CHI
- L vs. PHI
- L @ NO
- BYE
- L vs. DET
- L vs. ATL
- L @ BUF
- W @ HOU
- W vs. TEN
- L @ SF
- L @ IND
- W vs. CAR
- L @ ATL
- W @ GB
- L vs. JAX
- W vs. NO
- L @ CAR
Like Atlanta, the offense could be the group that holds Tampa Bay back from repeating as division champs this year. Baker Mayfield is going to be a stark difference from Tom Brady, so the Bucs likely will lose a few extra games this season.
However, this defense remains very legit. Vita Vea, Devin White, and Lavonte David all remain in the front seven, and they surprisingly were able to keep Jamal Dean around in the secondary. A group that ranked 12th in defensive EPA last year should be above average once again.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.