Falcons Roundtable: Breaking Down the NFC South Before the 2026 Season
· Yahoo Sports
The Atlanta Falcons will be doing everything they can to make the postseason in 2026. The team is looking to break the 2nd-longest playoff drought in the NFL, which has been going on since the 2017 season.
The best way to do that? Win the NFC South.
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On this week’s Falcons Roundtable, the staff gives their initial thoughts on the other teams inside the division as we inch closer to training camp.
Many believe Todd Bowles is on the Hot Seat in Tampa Bay. Can the Buccaneers be contenders inside the division this year?Michael Brauner: The NFC South is a rare case where everyone in the division is a contender. Given 8-9 was enough last year, all four teams are capable of doing that, and an argument could be made that Tampa Bay is still the favorite. The margin is razor thin though.
Christian Rauh: Hot seat is interesting because it feels like they are on a path for regression. Baker Mayfield isn’t getting younger, and the franchise is now without Mike Evans for the first time since 2014. I’ll bite and say they can still compete, but wouldn’t be shocked if they finished last either.
Kellen Moore is looking to take the new step in New Orleans. Does he have enough?Zac Blackerby: The Saints seem to feel good about having their QB of the future, and they got him a solid target via the draft. New Orleans still has plenty of questions, but if Shough is the guy they think he is, New Orleans could be a problem.
MB: The Saints are going to take a step up this year, but it all depends on if Tyler Shough can build on that momentum from last year. If he’s ready to step in and become a franchise quarterback this year, New Orleans could present some real trouble.
CR: The Saints are the biggest wildcard inside the division entering the season. If they can capitalize on the things that went right in 2025, them getting to 9 or 10 wins isn’t out of the picture. And that also might be good enough to win the division that always filled the most parity in the NFL.
The Panthers won the NFC South last year. Are they the Falcons biggest competition heading into the season?ZB: I’d say the Panthers should be the favorite to win the NFC South.
MB: I have more faith in Tyler Shough than I do Bryce Young at this point. Carolina is a young and exciting team who could present trouble once again, but I don’t really think the division has a clear favorite right now.
CR: The Panthers seem close to figuring it all out as well. I would agree with Zac and say I think they should be viewed as the favorites entering the season. A second year with Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan should be fascinating.