The NFC South has long been one of the most unpredictable divisions in the NFL. Over the last several years, each team has had a turn at the top, but none has managed to build sustained dominance. From Tom Brady’s Buccaneers to the Saints clinging to their Drew Brees-era identity, to the Falcons and Panthers trying to rebuild, this division has seen plenty of turnover. In 2025, the picture looks a little clearer, with one team rising above the pack while the others continue to search for answers. Let’s break down the outlook for each franchise this season and how the division standings could shake out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11–6
Tampa Bay looks poised to control the South once again, finishing with an 11–6 record in our projections. The Buccaneers aren’t the same team they were with Brady at the helm, but what they have built is a tough, disciplined roster that plays complementary football. The defense remains their identity, with a strong front seven that can stop the run and get after quarterbacks. Their secondary is opportunistic, capable of turning games around with big turnovers.
On offense, the Bucs don’t rely on one superstar but instead use balance to keep defenses guessing. Their running game has shown growth, and their receiving corps still has enough talent to produce when called upon. What sets this team apart is its ability to avoid costly mistakes. They may not blow many teams out, but they win close games because of their consistency and toughness. In a division with little stability elsewhere, that gives Tampa Bay a major advantage.
Carolina Panthers: 6–11
The Panthers are still a work in progress, but there’s reason for optimism. Quarterback Bryce Young will be the focal point of Carolina’s growth in 2025. Young flashed moments of brilliance as a rookie, showing his poise and accuracy, but the inconsistency was obvious. That’s expected for a young quarterback, and this season will be about building chemistry with his teammates and gaining confidence as the leader of the offense.
Carolina’s defense is a bright spot. They have speed, they play aggressively, and they can keep games close against even the better teams in the league. The issue remains on the offensive side of the ball. The line is still developing, and Young doesn’t yet have a true elite weapon to rely on in big moments. That will limit their ability to consistently move the ball and finish drives. Still, at 6–11, the Panthers should show progress compared to past seasons, and with the right development, they could be setting themselves up for better days ahead.
New Orleans Saints: 5–12
The Saints are in the middle of a transition that has been coming for years. After the end of the Brees era, the team struggled to find an offensive identity. That struggle continues into 2025. The quarterback play is inconsistent, and the offense lacks a true star who can carry them. Their offensive line is solid enough to give them chances, but without dynamic playmakers, they will continue to stall out too often.
Defensively, New Orleans still has a few veterans who can change games, and playing at home in the Superdome will always give them a boost. They’ll win a couple of games on grit and atmosphere alone, but over the course of a season, the roster just isn’t deep enough to contend. A 5–12 record reflects a team in need of a reset—something the Saints may finally embrace in order to build a new foundation for the future.
Atlanta Falcons: 4–13
The Falcons round out the division with a projected 4–13 finish. Atlanta has been stuck in limbo for several years, with flashes of potential offset by an inability to close games. The quarterback situation continues to be their biggest weakness. Without stability under center, the offense lacks direction, and even with some talented skill players, they can’t maximize their potential.
Defensively, Atlanta struggles with consistency. They can’t seem to put together four full quarters of solid play, which has been their downfall in close contests. The Falcons are scrappy and competitive, but when the game is on the line, they fall short. That’s the mark of a team that needs more than just tweaks—it needs a larger rebuild.
Final Outlook
The NFC South may not be the most competitive division in 2025, but it is one full of storylines. The Buccaneers look like the only team in position to win consistently, thanks to their discipline, toughness, and balance on both sides of the ball. The Panthers are trending in the right direction with Bryce Young, but they are still developing. The Saints are struggling to define a new identity, while the Falcons continue to spin their wheels without answers at quarterback or on defense.
Projected Standings:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11–6
Carolina Panthers: 6–11
New Orleans Saints: 5–12
Atlanta Falcons: 4–13
The division crown belongs to Tampa Bay in 2025, but the real intrigue lies in which of the other three franchises can build momentum for the future. With two young quarterbacks in the mix and two franchises considering bigger changes, the NFC South is a division in transition—one that may look very different just a year or two from now.