Everything has winners and losers, so today we look at the winners and losers of the offseason.
Welcome to the MSFL mid-season division review. We will look at each team's season so far and we start off with the NFC South
Division winner predictions: Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
Overview:
The Panthers came guns blazin’ to start the season. Starting the season with a 44-32 loss to the Jaguars did not set a lasting tone on this team, as they proceeded to rip off 5 straight and currently sit a 6-2 and hold the #3 seed in the NFC. If you had to find one thing that stands out about this exceptional Panthers team, it would be the supercharged offense they have. Led by Superman Cam, the Panthers have only dipped under 30 points 3 times, and have dropped 50 points twice. That is to not discredit the defense however, which has forced 28 turnovers(4FF 24INT), but at the same time leaves questions as the allow 404YPG(29th in the NFL) and the 3rd most passing yards per game.
MVP: Josh Norman
It was tough to give this to Norman over Luke and Thomas Davis, but he very well deserves it. Norman has 5 picks(2 returned for TDs), a forced fumble, only one catch allowed, 38 tackles, a TFL, a pass deflection, and 133 INT return yards. In a division with Brandin Cooks, Mike Evans, and Julio, a Star CB who is producing very well is in my opinion the most valuable
Questions for the second half:
The Panthers have been stellar in run defense, however a very interesting piece, is that both of their losses have come when the team has ran for over 100 yards, and neither of the losses were particularly close. Are the Panthers unable to respond when the other team can run the ball and control the pace of the game? Matchups against A.P and the Cowboys and 2 games against the Falcon’s Coleman/Freeman duo are looming. Teams like these will try to get the rushing attack going, and if they succeed will the Panthers be able to respond?
Playoff Chances: Very Likely
New Orleans Saints
Overview:
After a sluggish start to the season, the Saints flipped a switch and ripped off 4 straight games. Currently sitting at 6-3 and riding the very hot hand of Brandin Cooks, the Saints and the 3rd ranked offense show no signs of slowing down. A mid-season trade seemed to ignite this team, as newly acquired Eddy Lacy is running all over defenses with a 4.6 YPC avg. However this Saints are going to need help from its defense sooner than later, as dropping 40+ points every game seems a bit unreasonable.
MVP: Brandin Cooks
This WR with the help of some very “creative” offensive playcalling, is putting up a monster season for these Saints. Through 9 games Cooks has 1374 yards and 15 TDs.
Questions for the second half:
They say defense wins championships, but so far NOLA’s D has gone soft(see what i did there...anyways) When the Saints aren’t able to drop 40, or Cooks isn’t cooking, will the Defense be able to hold the game together?
Playoff Prediction: 50/50
Atlanta Falcons
Overview:
The Falcons sputtered out the gate to a 4-5. The defense has been surprisingly good, ranked top 10 in every defensive category except interceptions, However where the Defense has been surprisingly excellent, the offense has been surprisingly bad. Julio notably started the season looking like he didn’t belong, but he’s caught fire as the season went on, the rest of the offense did not. Matt Ryan has thrown 18 INT, and posted a 73.5 QBR, and if not for a trio of really good games, both Freeman and Coleman would be posting sub-3.5 carrying averages. The Falcons now sit at a bye week as they try to figure this offense out. With the 2-7 Colts coming up and 4/7 games remaining being division games, the Falcons hold their improbable, but not impossible playoff push in their hands.
MVP:Vic Beasley Jr:
While it would be all too easy to dub the MVP Julio Jones, Vic Beasley offers more to a team with a up and coming defense. Beasley as a rookie already has 7 sacks, 5 TFL, 29 tackles, and a Safety. The paper numbers may just look average, but he impacts the game in more ways, from constant pressure on the QB, to stopping the RB to short yardage gains more often than not, Vic Beasley Jr is the soul of the top 5 Atlanta Defense
Questions for the second half:
The Falcons season can be summed up to not closing out games. Whether it's the offense not putting up points, or the defense tiring out in the 4th, 4 of the 5 Falcon losses have been a one possession game. If the Falcons ever wish to string some wins together, they must close out close games, but is this team capable of doing so?
Playoff Prediction: Probably Not
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overview:
The Buccaneers are kind of a team of mystery. Not too many people know what to expect if they get a game in with Tampa. Starting the season 1-4, the Buccs refused to fold and have ripped off 3 straight en route to a 4-4 record so far. Ranked as one of the worst offenses, the Tampa Defense is putting the team on its back. Rookie Jamies Winston is putting up a sub-par season with 9TDs and 9INT, and Doug Martin is doing them no favors either. But they are finding ways to win recently, and the playoffs suddenly and surprisingly look within reach for the strange Buccs.
MVP:Mike Evans
A Saving grace for a team ranked 31st in passing is WR stud Mike Evans. With 618 yards, 42 receptions, and 4TDs, Evans is the key piece for a Buccs Offense trying to get back on track
Questions for the second half:
A thrown together O-Line that has given up 21 sacks, a rookie QB, and a RB that can’t seem to get rolling doesn’t sound like a recipe for success, but so far it is working. For how much longer can this last though? Can Tampa find a consistent offense to crash the playoff party with, or will they find that balance is needed in the NFL?
Playoff Prediction: Lord Knows