Outside of an Atlanta Falcons squad that earned the No. 1-seed on the NFC side of the playoff ledger, the AFC South didn't have much going for it this season. The Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all finished on the short end of "meh" this season, each going 7-9 and missing the playoffs.
2013 NFL schedule: NFC South takes on NFC West and AFC East outside division
The 2013 NFL schedule will see the NFC South taking on the NFC West and AFC East in intra and inter-division play. The Atlanta Falcons take on the New England Patriots in the Georgia Dome in a potential rematch of this year’s Super Bowl.
Chris Graythen
The division will look to rebound in 2013 against a schedule that includes inter and intra-division matchups against the AFC East and the NFC West.
While the 2013 NFL schedule hasn't been released, the matchups and home-away slates have been revealed. The Falcons will be making road trips to San Francisco, Green Bay and Buffalo in what could be a particularly rough slate late in the season. Luckily, they host the Seattle Seahawks. Depending on what happens during Sunday's Divisional Round matchup between the two teams, next year's regular season matchup could be a must-see.
Of course, a home outing against the New England Patriots could end up being a rematch of the Super Bowl.
The Saints drew the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys for their matchups against the two other NFC divisions. The matchup against the Cowboys could set passing records with Drew Brees and Tony Romo going head-to-head.
A Panthers team that won four straight to end the 2012 season will have the chance to exact revenge for two early season losses. It will host the New York Giants and the Seahawks, both of whom beat the Panthers in the midst of a five-game losing streak.
The Philadelphia Eagles didn't have many highlights in 2012, going 1-13 to end the season. That lone win came against the Buccaneers in Week 14 and saw Nick Foles throwing a touchdown pass to Clay Harbor as time expired. Round 2 will take place at Raymond James next season.
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