NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints (Predicted finish 12-4)

2006 RECORD: 13-3

COACH: Sean Payton

ON THE THRONE: Drew Brees was the NFL's best quarterback not named Peyton (4,418 yards, 26 TDs, 11 INTs) in 2006.

NEXT IN LINE: We saw only doses of rookie RB Reggie Bush, but look for a more expanded role from the sleek tailback this season.

OVERTHROWN: The team signed 10-year veteran LB Brian Simmons from Cincinnati to fortify a leaky run defense.

THE BUZZ: The team is a legitimate Super Bowl challenger, but a lack of playmakers in the back seven on defense might be its undoing.

DID YOU KNOW: The flip-flop from 3-13 in '05 to 13-3 in '06 equaled the greatest one-season turnaround since the NFL and AFL merged in 1970.

2. Carolina Panthers (8-8)

2006 RECORD: 8-8

COACH: John Fox

ON THE THRONE: Steve Smith (83 catches, 1,166 yards, 8 TDs) has been one of the top big-play wideouts in the league the past few years.

NEXT IN LINE: DeAngelo Williams, the club's first-round pick in '06, had 501 yards rushing last season but started just two games.

OVERTHROWN: Jake Delhomme might be pushed by former Texans QB David Carr, whom the Panthers signed in the offseason.

THE BUZZ: Carolina's rise under Fox was rooted in defense, but that side of the ball fell off some last season.

DID YOU KNOW: DE Julius Peppers averaged nearly six points a game as a power forward at North Carolina.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

2006 RECORD: 4-12

COACH: Jon Gruden

ON THE THRONE: Derrick Brooks has been to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls, staking his claim as the greatest player in franchise history.

E-mail

Single page

Reprint

NFC South

Popular stories

Hampton Roads Facts, Data and Statistics

Blogs