After breaking down the North divisions in both conferences, we continue the analysis of the teams heading into the 2021 NFL season, already living the last weekend without American football, at least until February of next year.
The southern divisions give us two diametrically opposite realities, on the side of the American Conference there are teams that seem to be more concerned with aspects outside the field, than with learning the playbook. For its part, in the National the current Super Bowl champions are located and as a common place, they must be marked as favorites to repeat, it is an argument that is repeated year after year and very few times it is effective, but now, in the case of Tom Brady, the prediction takes a capital seriousness.
NFC SOUTH
Just reviewing the contenders in this platoon, the differences and favorites are obvious: the New Orleans Saints have dominated their division in recent years and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the current holders of the beautiful Vince Lombardi trophy, a they undoubtedly correspond to the label of favorites, with the “Bucs” standing out. For their part, the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons are going through a process of reconstruction and configuration, so it will be difficult for them to fight in their division or even stalk a wild card position.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the great Tom Brady at the controls, with seven championship rings in his hands, Brady’s winning ambition seems to have no limits and we can be sure that he will fight every yard to lift the trophy again this coming February. ; a backfield with Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones II and Giovani Bernard makes the team one of the most explosive in the league, but if there is talent there, not to mention the receivers and tight ends: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski and OJ Howard are a really difficult arsenal to control, all rounded off with a superb offensive line and a talented defense, delivering us Buccaneers ready for boarding.
If the New Orleans Saints want to regain the throne of their division, they will soon have to forget about a legend like Drew Brees and appeal to the rapid and effective development of Jameis Winston. In his favor, he will have the fast legs of the magnificent Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, as well as receivers like Michael Thomas, who will miss at least the first five games of the season, the key for Louisiana will be in their defense, led by the linebackers Demario Davis and Kwon Alexander, the two games they will play against Tampa Bay will be their best thermometer.
Carolina will experiment with Sam Darnold at the controls of his offense, with a porous line he will not have a single quiet week, while Atlanta again bet on Matt Ryan in what could be a last attempt to shine, but not even the most optimistic Falcon finds many reasons to smile.
AFC SOUTH
It’s not much different from what we see in the National Conference, with two clearly playoff favorites and two other squads looking destined to suffer each week.
As defending champions are the Tennessee Titans, who have a good offense led by Ryan Tannehill, seconded by an elite running back like Derrick Henry and a tremendous 1-2 in their wide receivers, with the talented AJ Brown who will now be sheltered. by Julio Jones, one of the most important additions in the entire NFL during the offseason, everything looks for a successful season, but maintaining balance with defense will be Mike Vrabel’s great challenge to transcend.
Perhaps the team with the most doubts in the entire NFL is the Indianapolis Colts, with a new quarterback in the person of Carson Wentz, yes, the one who was very valuable to the Philadelphia Eagles who then did everything possible to get rid of He will now seek to be reborn at the hands of coach Frank Reich, who was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator in Wentz’s year of splendor with Philadelphia. Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack are two runners without much name, but with tons of talent, watch out for them, although a hard question is that of TY Hilton, affected by a neck injury; the Colts’ strong point is their elite offensive line, which should be complemented by a strong defense, but perhaps a lack of experience.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a pleasant unknown that has some elements to turn into a surprise, led by the first overall pick of the past draft, the quarterback of Clemson University, Trevor Lawrence, although he must be surrounded by talent in your body of receivers, but that could take a few years. If there is a disappointed crowd in the NFL, it is the Houston Texans, with a team “patched” with players who have already lived their best years, their star Deshaun Watson in trouble with the law that could put him out of action and perhaps more painful, a team stripped of “its soul”, JJ Watt; if they win five games, it will be a surprise.
Victories
and five losses had the Buccaneers and Titans last season.
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