Some of the parts have changed for the Atlanta Falcons -- Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora are in -- but SB Nation's Matt Ufford predicts much will stay the same on the field. Ufford believes Atlanta will give up a lot of points, win the NFC South, but won't make it to the Super Bowl. Either way, he's taking the over on 10 wins.
2013 NFC South over/under win predictions
Matt Ufford breaks down the NFC South, making quick and dirty predictions for the 2013 win totals of the Falcons, Saints, Panthers, and Bucs. Can anyone stop the Falcons? Will anyone play defense? Probably not!
The Carolina Panthers did what they needed to do in the draft to fill holes on defense, Ufford said, but to him it's still clear too much money is tied up in running backs DeAngelo Williams ($8.6 million in 2013) and Jonathan Stewart ($6.4 million in 2013, both according to Spotrac). Ufford decided to take the over on 7.5 wins, but only by virtue of the most scientific and predictive method possible: a roll of the dice.
Ufford spoke strongly about the New Orleans Saints, and it was not positive. One of the worst defenses of 2012 lost linebacker Will Smith, Victor Butler and Kenyon Coleman for the entire season. Needless to say, Ufford took the under on 9.5 wins. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Darrelle Revis in the offseason, but is that worth an entire win? They finished 7-9 last season, and their 2013 over/under is set at 7.5. Ufford doesn't think Josh Freeman can pull eight wins, so he took the under.
