Thread: NFCN - The toughest division in football?

Yeah, but so will an NFC South team, and they did nothing to stay running with the Pack or the Bears, let alone Tampa, Atlanta or NO. I think a healthy Stafford and an injury plagued season (I don't see the Pack having that much misfortune again this year) from one of those teams to get a shot.

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

Yeah, but so will an NFC South team, and they did nothing to stay running with the Pack or the Bears, let alone Tampa, Atlanta or NO. I think a healthy Stafford and an injury plagued season (I don't see the Pack having that much misfortune again this year) from one of those teams to get a shot.

The least likely team out of the NFC South to repeat as a strong team is Tampa. New Orleans, I think, is going to come out as the best team in the division now that they have Mark Ingram as their stud running back. The Saints will have the most balanced attack of the bunch, while Atlanta might have the best long ball threat. Tampa Bay has no guarantees of repeating or improving on their 10-6 season of a year ago. We will have to see about that. One thing for sure is that the Panthers are going to suck no matter what.

Originally Posted by Dagan81

The least likely team out of the NFC South to repeat as a strong team is Tampa. New Orleans, I think, is going to come out as the best team in the division now that they have Mark Ingram as their stud running back. The Saints will have the most balanced attack of the bunch, while Atlanta might have the best long ball threat. Tampa Bay has no guarantees of repeating or improving on their 10-6 season of a year ago. We will have to see about that. One thing for sure is that the Panthers are going to suck no matter what.

I honestly don't think the Saints were even as good as their 11-5 record. They never once dazzled me, nor did they make me stop and say "I don't want to play them in the playoffs" the way that the Steelers did. If any team is going to take a step back in that division it will likely be them. I think the Bucs, like the Lions, are on their way up in the league after adding more high end young blood to the roster.

Originally Posted by Evernight

I honestly don't think the Saints were even as good as their 11-5 record. They never once dazzled me, nor did they make me stop and say "I don't want to play them in the playoffs" the way that the Steelers did. If any team is going to take a step back in that division it will likely be them. I think the Bucs, like the Lions, are on their way up in the league after adding more high end young blood to the roster.

You think so? I'm judging strictly by the fact that the Saints drafted Mark Ingram, and I think Ingram can become the next Emmitt Smith if he stays healthy. They have a hell of an offensive line. My main concern with them is their defense, as it at times gives up a lot of yards and a lot of points. Tampa Bay could very well be on its way up, but the team could have very well been a one-year wonder. Only time will be able to tell that for certain.

Originally Posted by 4th and 26

I think the packers and bears take a step back while the lions more up. The vikings will be the bottom feeders of the NFCN. I think the lions are getting much better throught the draft than the packers and bears have.

God I would hope so based on where they've been drafting of late but they've been there before and still not shown as much improvement as many thought they would. I'm not sure about the Pack and the Bears falling much but I do think the Lions will be tougher than a year ago.

Tougher, yes. Maybe beat us this time, yes. Playoff contenders? I think they'll be just right outside, unless the NFC South slides. I don't think Tampa is amazing, but their time of renovation is over, and Josh Freeman is legit. NO has the offense to contend, and while I don't think Emmitt Smith when i think Mark Ingram, I think he helps them. Atlanta didn't do anything to shore up their porous defense, so I doubt they get the top seed, but I think they've got 2-3 teams in, and ya never know if Dallas bounces back from last year. Detroit really doesn't have it just yet. If Stafford goes down again for a signifcant amount of time, go ahead and count them out for a little longer.

Originally Posted by Evernight

I honestly don't think the Saints were even as good as their 11-5 record. They never once dazzled me, nor did they make me stop and say "I don't want to play them in the playoffs" the way that the Steelers did. If any team is going to take a step back in that division it will likely be them. I think the Bucs, like the Lions, are on their way up in the league after adding more high end young blood to the roster.

I agree. The saints need an almost perfect offense in order to compete. I think they are on the downside of their greatness. To be honest I don't know what they did in the draft though. I think the Bucs are on the upswing, and Atlanta will be fairly strong again.

Greenbay will probably be better than last year, at least through the regular season. The bears need to address at least one guard in FA to help the offense. Detroit, if Stafford stays healthy, will be a force also... Mainly a tough D though. Its going to be difficult to run on them, or to have time to pass. I think their Dline will make their secondary look better.

Was stafford injury prone in college? I didn't think he was, but not sure. My gut tells me it was just a fluke first two seasons and he will eventually be a solid QB.