2012-13 NFC South Odds to Win
(The Spread) – Despite the turmoil they endured during the NFL offseason, the New Orleans Saints remain the favorites to win the NFC South Division in 2012-13.
Oddsmakers have installed the Saints as +130 money line favorites to win the NFC South this season, although the Atlanta Falcons have comparable odds at +140. The improving Carolina Panthers are +450 to win the division while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the current long shots at +1000.
It’s interesting to see the Saints listed as the favorites to win the South after the amount of off-field issues they had this offseason. Head coach Sean Payton and middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma were suspended for the entire season because of the bounty scandal, while defensive end Will Smith will have to miss the first four games of the 2012 season because of his bounty-related suspension. The team and quarterback Drew Brees also went through lengthy contract discussions before the two sides eventually agreed to a massive deal to keep the signal caller in New Orleans.
As for the Falcons, they lost middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (Saints) in free agency but they traded for cornerback Asante Samuel of the Eagles and used their franchise tag on Brent Grimes, thus, their secondary should be improved. The team also hired two new coordinators in Mike Nolan and Dirk Koetter in efforts to change its losing ways in the playoffs. Koetter has the daunting task to take the passing game, which shouldn’t be too hard with weapons like Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez. The offensive line should be somewhat improved as well thanks to the addition of second-round pick Peter Konz.
Meanwhile, the Panthers improved their defense, at least on paper. The team drafted linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Frank Alexander, although holes remain at all three levelsl. Still, the key to whether or not Carolina competes this season is second-year quarterback Cam Newton, who was phenomenal in his rookie year and who should only get better.
The Bucs are viewed as the long shots in this division but there’s no reason they can’t compete this season after hiring former Rutgers’ head coach Greg Schiano, and signing key free agents Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks. The team also drafted productive safety Mark Barron of Alabama and former Boise State running back Doug Martin. Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David could make an immediate impact this year as well.
It’ll be interesting to see how the dynamics play out in this division. The Saints’ offense will remain high-powered even without Payton calling the plays, while the Falcons arguably have the best defense in the division and are solid offensively as well. The Panthers and Bucs are clearly a notch below the Saints and Falcons but the gap between these teams has definitely shrunk.
2012-13 NFC South Division Odds to Win
New Orleans Saints +130
Atlanta Falcons +140
Carolina Panthers +450
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1000
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