A capsule look at the NFC South heading into the 2026 season, with teams listed in predicted order of finish.
Carolina Panthers
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 100-1; Over-under win total: 7.5
Strengths: Carolina’s young talent has some big game experience to build on this season after giving the Rams a scare in the playoffs. Tetairoa McMillan was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025. Cornerback Jaycee Horn has made two consecutive Pro Bowls. The Panthers have a very competent offensive line, and Bryce Young is capable of brilliance when he needs to escape the pocket, even if his overall game can be frustratingly less than the sum of those thrilling parts.
Weaknesses: There’s a reason the Panthers went out searching for defensive upgrades this offseason. They squeaked through the division with an 8-9 record last fall despite one of the worst collective units in the league. Can edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd fix them? The loss of running back Rico Dowdle to Pittsburgh after his breakout season also looms large.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 50-1; Over-under win total: 8.5
Strengths: Receiver Emeka Egbuka is coming off a 938-yard rookie season. Running back Bucky Irving is fully recovered from a shoulder injury with no limitations entering training camp, spurring optimism that his injury-plagued sophomore slump was only that. The defensive line is solid. The roster, in general, appears well-balanced, if not overwhelmingly talented.
Weaknesses: Vibes? Two of Tampa Bay’s franchise players are beginning the last year of their contracts without extensions in place, and the poor state of negotiations has been aired publicly. Defensive lineman Vita Vea has requested a trade that may or may not be honored. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has said he feels disrespected because he hasn’t received a suitable contract offer. This is all playing out after the loss of longtime star receiver Mike Evans in free agency.
Atlanta Falcons
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 100-1; Over-under win total: 7.5
Strengths: Bijan Robinson’s trajectory and dependability. The dynamic running back has amassed 1,400 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons, and he led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage last year with 2,298. Three seasons into his career, he hasn’t missed a game. His development as a pass-catching option out of the backfield has only strengthened his value. One of the biggest stars in football remains hidden in its worst division.
Weaknesses: Uncertainty at quarterback. The brain trust that drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in 2024 is no longer in the building, replaced by Matt Ryan, Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski. They’ve brought in Tua Tagovailoa to provide another quarterback option while Penix has finished rehabbing from a torn ACL. Tagovailoa isn’t exactly the gold standard for durability either, of course. It’s a QB1 battle at camp, catnip for the two-means-none believers out there.
New Orleans Saints
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl: 90-1; Over-under win total: 7.5
Strengths: Chris Olave tallied a career-high 100 receptions last season. Between him and rookie Jordyn Tyson, the Saints could have one of the most ascendant receiver rooms in the league. They’ve also added Travis Etienne to the backfield alongside veteran Alvin Kamara. Juwan Johnson ranked third among tight ends in receiving yards last year (889). That’s a decent foundation at the skill positions for offensively minded second-year coach Kellen Moore to work with.
Weaknesses: Was Tyler Shough’s impressive finish to last season just a flash in the pan? Or can he take the proper leap New Orleans needs him to take in order to contend for this division? Shough’s first full year as QB1 will be revealing, one way or the other. The Saints also look weak in their secondary.
