Top 3 for Week 2

Week 2 can be the week that determine how well of a start do teams get off. 16 teams are 1-0, a 75% chance at making the playoffs. 16 teams are 0-1, a 25% chance at making the playoffs. Since 1990, 12 of the 16 teams that start off 1-0 will go to the playoffs while 4 of the 16 teams that start 0-1 will recover and make the playoffs.

1. Bears at Packers: Well the Bears are 1-0 and Packers are 0-1. This is a huge Thursday Night game at Lambeau and this could very well be a huge division win or lost for these teams. The Bears are trying to take a 2-game lead (2 1/2 because of winning one of the two regular season meetings) and for the Packers, being in 4th place in the NFC North wasn't in their plans this season.
2. Lions at 49ers: For the 49ers, last week's game at Lambeau could be the game that puts the NFL on notice: THIS TEAM IS FOR REAL. Dominating defensive performance against the Packers could set this team up for home-field in January. As for the Lions, a very dismal game against the Rams, are looking to show the world that they are not the Detroit Lions of old. Being that this is a Sunday Night Game, what other way to get the world to know your name by beating the 49ers at home after they came off of a dominating win at Lambeau. 
3. Saints at Panthers: For two teams that we're thought to be 1-2 in the NFC South, one of these teams could be last by the end of day on Sunday. With Falcons looking pretty dominate and the Bucs seem to have found their old-school defense, the Saints and Panthers could be in for a uphill battle if they lose. Cam Newton is looking to shake off his performance in Tampa with a performance similar to what newcomer RGIII did to this Saints D last week.

2012 NFC South Preview

NFC South

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. Saints (13-3): Normally a 13-win season would get you home-field advantage and a 1st-round bye. But last season wasn't normally planned and this Saints team had to travel on the road in order to get back to the Super Bowl. The Saints clearly was the conference's second best team, but was beaten by the actual second-best team, the San Francisco 49ers. This season, with the suspensions of coach Payton and other players, this could be a hard season for one Drew Brees to carry them out of.
2. Falcons (10-6): After being the #1 team in the NFC in 2010, the Falcons fell to Wild-Card status in 2011. This team is a Super Bowl hopeful, but is their Quarterback the same? Matt Ryan hasn't had great success in the postseason and that has to change if the Falcons are looking to go to Super Bowl. The question is, can he make the next step or has he reach the ceiling? The 2012 season is depending on it.
3. Panthers (6-10): One name for sum up their 2011 Season: Cam Newton. Newton by far too the Panthers and the NFL by storm. But can he at least give 60% of what he did last season? If he can, then this team will be something to mess with in the NFC South this year.
4. Bucs (4-12): Talk about a team that went to the doorstep of contending status, to what the heck happened? Yea the Bucs are that team. With a new coaching staff, this team could be in a small rebuild year, but don't worry Bucs fans. This is the NFC South, if history is correct, you'll win the division next season.

2012 NFC South Champion: Carolina Panthers

 

CAR: (9-7)

NO: (9-7)

ATL: (8-8)

TB: (6-10)