Jeff: NFC South

4. New Orleans Saints (7-8 wins)
Who says you have to be successful to have job security? You either need a) dirty pictures of your boss (the only explanation for Kevin McHale's apparent lifetime contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves) or b) be average enough for long enough that people just stop caring. The latter would refer to head coach Jim Hasslet and the New Orleans Saints. The team has averaged 8.5 wins the last three seasons, and have won a grand total of ONE playoff game in the team's history (and it didn't come under Hasslet). They've had the same coach, same QB, same running back, same wideout, and the same mediocre defense for the fourth year running, and you know what? Nobody in New Orleans cares. Probably because the team is headed for another season of mediocrity, and there's no reason it's going to change. Welcome to the Aints.

3. Atlanta Falcons (8-9 wins)
Who's more overrated than Mike Vick? Well yeah other than Peyton Manning, I mean? Hey, I'm well aware Mike Vick is the greatest athlete to ever play the position, because I see and hear it on every game broadcast, radio station, website, magazine article or anything else covering the NFL. And yes, he's a lot of fun to watch. But he's NOT a great quarterback. Not yet. And he may never be. But don't worry, we'll continue to hear plenty about him. As for the rest of the team, Vick still has noone reliable to throw to besides TE Alge Crumpler, they don't give TJ Duckett the ball enough (and really why would you want to give it to a 250 pound battering ram 25 times a game instead of the smurf Warrick Dunn?), and the defense will come back to earth a little. Not a bad team at all and they could very well make the playoffs, it's just they're in a really good divison, and well somebody has to finish 3rd.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-10 wins)
The Bucs are back, or at least close to it. Losing Sapp and Lynch hurt in the short term but it had to be done, and considering Derrick Brooks' level of play, they obviously made the right choice on which aging defensive superstar to keep. The D doesn't have the big names yet, but still has some very good players. As always, the question in The Bay is on offense. They haven't made a ton of changes from an offense that as struggled the past few seasons- oh except for FINALLY getting a franchise running back. Yes, I think Caddy Williams makes a huge difference. Yes I think he runs for at least 1300 yds and 10+ TD's. Ronnie Brown may have gone a little higher in the draft, but there's a reason Cadillac was the starter at Auburn and he'll prove in with the Bucs. Griese's game management has improved, and the solid-but-not-spectacular receivers will continue to produce. Not the league's most exciting teams but they'll be one of the most improved.

1. Carolina Panthers (10-11 wins)
THey have 17 good running backs, the league's best defensive line-and probably the best overall defense- AND an experienced, effecient quarterback? Yeah it's little wonder this is the chic pick for the NFC this year. The Panth absolutely made the right move by letting all-pro wideout Mushin Muhammed walk to the Bears in free-agency. His blocking will be missed more than his pass catching, as Mushin's on the wrong side of 30, and they have plenty of capable hands waiting to receive the passes he got last year-especially if Steve Smith is all the way back from injury. If 246 pound rookie tailback Eric Shelton isn't starting by midseason, John Fox needs his head examined.