This is part of an ongoing 8-part series where the Steel City Underground team takes their stab at predicting the 2016 NFL season.

This edition focuses on the NFC South.

2015 Finish	Brian	Joe	Terry	Josh
CAR	CAR	CAR	CAR	CAR
ATL	NO	ATL	NO	ATL
NO	ATL	TB	ATL	NO
TB	TB	NO	TB	TB

Our panel has a unanimous sweep for first place, with Carolina besting our poll across the board.

Joe felt that the Saints are bad enough on defense to be in the basement, while everyone else flipped positions on the Falcons and Saints.

No one feels the Bucs will compete this year.

Brian

Panthers will win the division, they still have the best roster and most talent in the division. I’m honestly picking the Saints second, because a buddy of mine is a Saint’s fan and I feel bad for him.

I think the Falcons will be better than last year, but not good enough to win the division, and until Winston Jameson matures some, I will keep the Bucs in the basement – he’s got the weapons but not sure they can put it all together.

Joe

The lightbulb went off for Cam Newton last season, and that was with what many felt was a subpar receiving corps, and a poor offensive line, heading into the season. I don’t think they’ll miss Josh Norman whatsoever, and Ron Rivera has proven to be among the best coaches in the league. They’ll repeat atop this division should they remain healthy.

Atlanta is rebounding nicely after several years of languishing. They started hot last year, then fell apart, mostly due to a poor defense. They’re loaded offensively, and I expect Devonta Freeman to have another big season. If not, Tevin Coleman is right behind him, ready to carry the ball (literally.)

Their defense has pieces in place to improve, which is more than I can say for the Bucs or Saints: either could be the worst team in the league this year, which is a sad way for Drew Brees to wind down his career. I usually pull for the experienced QB in these situations, but I don’t think the Saints offense has enough to make up for their D: Dennis Allen, their defensive coordinator, has his hands full.

Terry

Cam Newton not only will take his team to the playoffs, but he will make fantasy owners very happy with the points he racks up this year. His O-line needs to do a better job protecting this very mobile QB, but they should go 11-5.

I think Drew Brees wants to set the all time passing yards of any team and if he gets a win out of it, great. But in a weak division he should pull out a decent 10-6 season. If Matt Ryan can get past his 2015 struggles, and this stronger defense can add some points with takeaways this season, the Falcons can possibly default into the playoffs with a 9-7 season.

I’v never have been a Jameis Winston fan, and can’t start now. He still makes rookie mistakes with his deep ball throws, and his pocket awareness has not taken a step forward. He needs to make big strides this season, or TB may need to find a veteran presence at QB 8-8.