NFC South Preview: Can Saints, Panthers break out of NFL’s basement?
The 2025 NFL season kicks off in just a couple of weeks, and SAN is wrapping up the NFC division previews with a look at the South. It seems like a two-horse race unless the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints can reverse last season’s futility.
What’s keeping the Panthers and Saints in the NFL basement?
In Charlotte, North Carolina, quarterback Bryce Young has shown some improvement when he has time to throw. The Panthers’ defense is the problem. They allowed 31.4 points per game in 2024, the third-most of any team in the past 20 years. New safety Tre’von Moehrig still has a positive outlook, however, even after giving up 30 points to the Browns in their first preseason game.
“I think we’re just constantly improving,” Moehrig said. “Every time we turn on the film and going against the Browns and then coming here, I think we’re just always improving, getting better. And obviously, there’ll be stuff to look at the tape and get better at. But like I said earlier, I like the energy, and I like our passion that we come out here with.”
The Saints have a tougher job. Quarterback Derek Carr abruptly retired, leaving rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough and last season’s backup Spencer Rattler to battle in camp for the starting job. The Saints’ defense is also suspect, ranking 19th in the league last year. It could be a rough season for fans in the French Quarter.
Will the Bucs repeat as division champs?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have had it easy last year, going 4-0 against the Panthers and Saints, but the offense, led by veteran Baker Mayfield, scored the 4th most points in the league. Baker said he could go without playing in the preseason but may go a series or two just because he loves football.
“It’s execution, getting guys in and out of the huddle, game-like situations, real time, real refs, everybody’s on the sideline,” Mayfield said. “It’s really the 11 that are out there once you get the play call, seeing how people operate and just handling it the right way.”
The Bucs defense could use a little work as well. They were ranked 16th last year with just seven interceptions, their lowest total in 24 years.
Who are some players hoping to break out in 2025?
Tampa is hoping to get a breakout season from cornerback Zyon McCollum, who is about to begin his fourth season. The front office drafted defensive backs with their second and third picks in April in order to push McCollum.
The eighth overall pick in the April draft was University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who could give Bryce Young a boost as the big play option he desperately needs.
First-year head coach Kellen Moore has a tough task in New Orleans as outlined, but if he can get the most out of Shough under center, the Saints may have a chance to surpass their five wins from last year.
How have the Atlanta Falcons improved?
Second-year quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is getting all the hype in Atlanta. Coach D.J. Williams was asked where Penix has improved the most during the offseason.
“Just his leadership is off the charts,” Williams said. ”I think obviously it’s hard when you’re the backup quarterback and you’re kind of just going through it and finding your way through it, but now it’s your show. We’re doing a lot of things that really fit your skill set, and so you can really have a command of it.”
Penix took over for an ineffective Kirk Cousins in the final three games last season. He finished with three touchdown passes and three interceptions, going 1-2 in those games. If he is the quarterback the Falcons believe he is, they could certainly push the Bucs for the division title. They beat Tampa twice during the regular season last year.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
