As the NFL season approaches, the online betting world is starting to predict whether or not the New Orleans Saints can repeat as NFC Champions and Super Bowl Champions. Every team, except for the Saints, made moves in the off-season to improve their NFL betting lines on winning the NFC South for the upcoming season. The only question is whether or not the rest of the NFC South should dig in for a battle, or if the other cities in the division are better off betting on NCAA football this season. New Orleans Saints (-170 odds to win division) Yes, the Saints will repeat as NFC South champions in 2010. But the difference this season will be that the Saints will win the division with the Atlanta Falcons breathing down their necks. Last season the Saints finished 13-3 and the Falcons finished 9-7. While the Saints have made some changes to their defensive front and have some minor additions at linebacker, this is the same Saints team that won the Super Bowl. The Saints will probably win 11 or 12 games this season, but they will split the season series with the Falcons, and that will be a sign of things to come. Atlanta Falcons (+200 to win division) The Falcons offense features rapidly developing quarterback Matt Ryan and game-breaking running back Michael Turner. Ryan will still have veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez to lean on for advice, and the sure hands of veteran wide receiver Roddy White to throw to. Just like the Saints, the Falcons made almost all of their changes on defense by bringing in some veteran defensive linemen and drafting good linebackers. The difference between the Saints and the Falcons is that the Falcons are still developing, while the Saints have reached their peak. The Falcons are developing at an incredible pace, and this may be the last season you see the Falcons in second place in the division as they look to be the class of the NFC South. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2500 to win division) There are too many questions in Carolina to expect the Panthers to overtake the Buccaneers this season. The Bucs finally have a quarterback in Josh Freeman, but they did give up Freeman’s main target in Antonio Bryant. The rest of the receiving corps will have to step it up. Let us also not forget that wide receiver Michael Clayton is still playing for Tampa Bay. The running game could be a disappointment if Cadillac Williams has another injury-prone season. On defense the Bucs are not terrible, but they did add defensive lineman Gerald McCoy in the draft. A player like McCoy will make the Bucs better on defense. The Bucs will need time to develop, but the pieces are in place and it is only a matter of time. Carolina Panthers (+550 to win division) There are just too many questions in Carolina to give them a chance at winning a lot in 2010. Julius Peppers is gone so now the Panthers need someone to pick up the slack on defense, and so far no one seems capable. Jake Delhomme was finally put out of his misery in Carolina, but they did not get a quarterback to replace him. For now, the Panthers are going with back-up Matt Moore while the future quarterback of the franchise, 2010 draft pick Jimmy Clausen, learns the pro game. The Panthers are light in every aspect of the game, and until they get their team together it will be a long time before Panther fans see a winning season.
