The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have held the title of NFC South division champions for the past four years in a row. As the new season approaches, which teams are favored to win the division? According to DraftKings Sportsbook odds as of July 31st, the Buccaneers lead at -110, followed by the Falcons at +250, the Panthers at +380, and the Saints at +1400.
Historically, the division’s winning streaks have shifted between teams since 2013: the Panthers dominated from 2013 to 2015, Atlanta claimed 2016, New Orleans took 2017 and 2020, and Tampa Bay has secured the last four titles. This season, Atlanta appears to be integrating a semi-new quarterback while the Panthers are likely to struggle. Carolina is trying to determine if Bryce Young is their future quarterback, but the team will probably face challenges starting rookie Tyler Shough, who is about 25 years old.
A key update is Michael Penix Jr., who, although not entirely new, will be Atlanta’s full-time starting quarterback for the first time. Penix was the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and has already influenced the Falcons’ offense. This followed the team’s prior commitment to Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal but had a mixed performance in 2024—starting 14 games with 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, then struggling in the final five games with just one touchdown and nine interceptions. Penix stepped in for the last three games, achieving three touchdowns, three interceptions, and 737 passing yards, while the Falcons went 1-2 in those games.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for NFL fans to watch because the NFC South division’s dynamics could shift significantly with new quarterback leadership in Atlanta. It marks a potential turning point that may disrupt Tampa Bay’s recent dominance and bring fresh excitement to the division this season.
