The NFC South used to be a division where the same team didn't win it twice in a row but now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are vying to win their fourth straight division title. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks that the Bucs can accomplish just that.
When pressed on who he thinks will win the crown in the NFC South in 2024, Breer picked the Bucs.
"I’m probably going with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on this one.
The simple reason is in a division that’s relatively even, I think the Buccaneers check the most boxes. Their quarterback, Baker Mayfield, has grown into what the Cleveland Browns thought he’d be in 2018, even if people aren’t paying attention. The offensive line, anchored by franchise left tackle Tristan Wirfs and having added first-rounder Graham Barton should be good. The skill guys are proven. The defense has strength up the middle, with Vita Vea, Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr. as anchors. The play-callers are really good.
Conversely, I’m not sure about the Atlanta Falcons’ pass rush, the New Orleans Saints’ offensive line, or a lot of things for the Carolina Panthers. So Tampa will win it for a fourth straight year."
Bucs picked by Albert Breer to win fourth straight NFC South crown
The Bucs shocked the world last year not just by being a somewhat competitive team but ultimately winning the NFC South and a playoff game when no one really gave them a chance the previous offseason. Tom Brady had just retired and replacing him with Baker Mayfield didn't appear to be a great plan but Mayfield was excellent in his first year in Tampa and the defense continued to play well and keep the Bucs in games.
As for the other three teams, Breer nailed on the head why those teams could still struggle in 2024. We know the Panthers, despite being led by old friend Dave Canales, have more problems than most of the other teams in the NFL so they're not looking like a threat this season. The Saints put it together late last season but their offensive line and run game are comically bad and the Falcons might be the latest example of an NFL team being overhyped in the offseason.
The NFC South was put together in 2002 when the Houston Texans joined the NFL as an expansion team, meaning the rest of the divisions had to be shuffled. The Bucs were placed in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and New Orleans Saints and went on to win the first-ever NFC South title in 2002, the same season where they won their first Super Bowl title.
It took until 2014, 12 years after the division was born, for a team to repeat as division winners with the Carolina Panthers winning the NFC South in 2013 and then again in 2014 (and again in 2015 when they lost in the Super Bowl to the Broncos).
The Saints won the NFC South four straight years (2017 to 2020) but would always get knocked out of the playoffs in the most hilarious ways. The Bucs are looking to tie the record for most consecutive division titles and can do it this season. Let's hope they can so that A) They can host a playoff game and B) So the Saints don't get to have bragging rights anymore.