NFC South Ranked Last, Can It Surprise in 2026?

0:00On April 7th, the NFC South just got ranked dead last among all NFL divisions by a sports illustrated writer after free agency wrapped up. For the second time in four years, no team finished with a winning record last season, with the Carolina Panthers taking the title at eight wins and nine losses, their first since their Super Bowl run back in 2015. Going back to 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only squad in the division to hit 10 or more victories, doing it in 20, 24 for their fourth straight crown. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Atlanta Falcons haven't cracked above 500 since 2017, and the New Orleans Saints win 11 wins and 23 losses over the past two years. Fans and analysts aren't shocked by the low ranking since the division lacks a real Super Bowl threat. The Buccaneers have talent, but often match the weak level of their rivals, keeping races tight until the final weeks. On the Panthers side, new coach Dave Canales has Bryce Young showing comeback flashes, though

1:02he starts slow sometimes and they added edge like Jalen Phillips and Devon Lloyd to boost the defense that improved after a rough 2024. Over in Atlanta, two-time coach of the year Kevin Stofanski takes the reins, banking on Michael Penix Jr. bouncing back from another ACL tier, or Tua Tagaviloa, turning things around post Miami. The whole division combined for 30 wins and 38 losses in 2025, third worst in the league. It's been almost a decade since the Saints, Panthers, and Falcons all may playoffs in 2017. Can the South surprise us in 20? 26? That wraps NFL News Today, brought to you with AI, I'm Corey with the story.