Friday 8 September 2017 16:46, UK
For the new NFL season, we preview all eight divisions...
Here, we continue by taking a look at the NFC and AFC South, plus at the foot of the page we give you the chance for you to take our personality quiz to determine which of the teams you should support...
Don't worry, if none float your boat here, there are seven other divisions to try!
Head coach: Dan Quinn
Key man: Matt Ryan. There are several candidates for this spot, such as wide receiver Julio Jones or recently re-signed shutdown corner Desmond Trufant, but the quarterback's 2016 MVP year is what took this team to a Super Bowl.
Major additions: First-round pick Takk McKinley has become an instant fan favourite with his passionate speech upon being drafted and his tweets. There's a reason the Falcons traded up for him: he'll bring fire, athleticism and explosiveness to the edge rusher spot opposite 2016 sack leader Vic Beasley. The defensive line improvements continued with the free agent additions of once-elite run stuffing nose tackle Dontari Poe from Kansas City and disruptive British-born Jack Crawford from Dallas.
Last season: The Falcons' offence was red-hot and their defence improved throughout the season, leading them all the way to the Super Bowl and a 28-3 lead over the Patriots. We all know how that gut-wrenchingly ended…
Prospects: The main obstacle for this team is a Super Bowl hangover. They'll also have to adjust to new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian after Kyle Shanahan was appointed San Francisco 49ers head coach. Still, now playing in the stunning new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Falcons are easily the best team in the division. They have a fast, young defence and a well-balanced, powerful offence.
Prediction: 1st (12-4)
Head coach: Dirk Koetter
Key man: Jameis Winston. He's flashed the ability that saw him selected with the number 1 pick in 2014. Yet he frustrates with bad decisions, something coaches are focusing on teaching out of him-as seen on Hard Knocks. Winston had the second-most interceptions last year; if he can reduce the mistakes this team could have the league's best attack.
Major additions: Rookie tight ends generally struggle in the NFL, and OJ Howard will play behind the skilful Cameron Brate, but the Buccaneers' number 19 pick in the draft is a mismatch who fits perfectly. Free agent wide reciever addition DeSean Jackson is the best burner in the league, and he will demand safety attention-leaving Mike Evans to dominate one-on-ones, or vice-versa. At defensive tackle, Chris Baker was bought in from Washington; he will wreak havoc twinned with Gerald McCoy.
Last season: Finishing second, with a 9-7 record, the Buccaneers just missed out on the playoffs as Winston's inefficiencies and the defence's mediocrity proved too great to overcome. They lost three in a row to close out the year.
Prospects: The downfield Air Coryell offence is a big strength. However, the running game will suffer with the unreliable Doug Martin suspended for the first four games. It's the defensive side of the ball which is the bigger worry though. Ultimately, this team is still run by a front office that traded up in the 2015 second to take a kicker who they've just cut.
Prediction: 2nd (9-7)
Head coach: Ron Rivera
Key man: Cam Newton. The Panthers are at their best when Cam is. That's not unusual, but his 2015 MVP run really demonstrated this. Three of his four worst games came after his shoulder injury. Now healthy, Rivera is looking to keep him upright.
Major additions: Left tackle Matt Kalil was added for big money and right tackle Taylor Moton was drafted in the second to compensate for the loss of Mike Remmers in free agency. The first-round addition of Christian McCaffrey in the draft gives them an elusive back who can successfully run between the tackles but also run routes like a wide receiver. This, plus second-rounder Curtis Samuel, gives Cam two chess pieces to hit quickly in the passing game, as opposed to him taking deep drops and getting smacked.
Last season: Having an injured quarterback who had tension with the head coach, and losing the best middle linebacker in the league, Luke Kuechly, to a concussion, plummeted this team to last in the division with a 6-10 record.
Prospects: The O-line does look better with new faces and good health. It must stay this way, because it's fair to question Cam's accuracy in hitting short passes to negate their underperformance. The Panthers' run defence is elite with Kawaan Short and Star Lotulelei, but losing defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, who schemed around poor defensive back talent, hurts the pass defence. Luke Kuechly's long-term health is a growing concern.
Prediction: 3rd (8-8)
Head coach: Sean Payton
Key man: Drew Brees. The 38-year-old passer has put up over 4000 passing yards every year in New Orleans, a statistic overshadowed by how bad the defence is. Last season Brees passed for his second-highest career yardage, gaining 5208 yards. This team runs through him.
Major additions: The Saints essentially gave up 23-year-old third-year receiver Brandin Cooks for 23-year-old first-round offensive tackle Ryan Ramscyzk. Ramscyzk's toughness is now much-needed as starting left tackle Teron Armstead suffered a torn labrum that could see him out until December. The backfield became busier with the third-round selection of Alvin Kamara and the free agent acquisition of Adrian Peterson. Peterson will compete for carries with Mark Ingram. Kamara is made for Payton's passing game, but has also shown an ability to run the ball in the preseason with nine carries for 96 yards. Rapid, versatile, starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore at pick number 12 was fantastic value, and second-rounder Marcus Williams brings range to potential three-safety packages.
Last season: The Saints' 7-9 finish felt familiar: It's the third consecutive year, in fact, they posted such a record. Involved in numerous high-scoring games as their potent offence attempted to overcome their leaky defence.
Prospects: Brees will pass for lots of yards, but the defence is poor with Nick Fairley's grave injury removing a vital defensive line run stopper. New additions must gel and they are still 'a year away'. More shootouts coming.
Prediction: 4th (7-9)
