The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the champions of the NFC South Division for the third time. They have retained almost all of their key players from 2023 and had a successful 2024 NFL draft.
According to The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia, the Buccaneers may not be able to overcome the strong competition from the Atlanta Falcons now that they have added quarterback Kirk Cousins to the mix.
On the May 7 episode of the Extra Point Taken podcast, Kapadia predicted that the Falcons, who did not make the playoffs in 2023, will make the playoffs in 2024, while the Buccaneers, who made the playoffs in 2023, will not make it in 2024.
Kapadia mentioned that recent history supports his prediction.
“Since the NFL moved to this format with 14 teams making the playoffs (in 2020), we have seen at least six new playoff teams each season,” Kapadia said. “And so every summer I like to predict who are those six new playoff teams gonna be, and who are the six playoff teams from last year that are going to drop out.”
Kapadia’s 2024 predictions for new playoff teams included the Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Seattle Seahawks.
The teams that Kapadia predicted wouldn’t make the playoffs in 2024 after making it in 2023 were the Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, and Dallas Cowboys.
‘The Falcons Clearly Should Win the NFC South’
Extra Point Taken co-host Ben Solak expressed strong confidence in the Falcons making the playoffs, particularly in winning the NFC South.
“I’m going to say the Falcons,” Solak said. “The Falcons clearly should win the NFC South … they have the best quarterback in the division. That’s the first time in three years I’m telling you the Falcons are gonna win the (NFC) South.
“They have the best quarterback in the division and the offensive line is solid to great at all five spots. They have good weapons. They have Drake London and Kyle Pitts. They have Bijan Robinson.”
Referring to Cousins as the best quarterback in the division could motivate the other three starters, including Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, who made his first Pro Bowl in 2023 and signed a 3-year contract worth up to $115 million.
Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowler who played for the Minnesota Vikings but suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 8 in 2023.
In March, the Falcons signed Cousins to a 4-year, $180 million contract.
What Do Oddsmakers Think About Falcons, Bucs?
Oddsmakers seem to share the views of Kapadia and Solak.
FanDuel have designated the Falcons as likely division champions, projecting them to win 9.5 games in 2024 compared to 7-10 in 2023. The Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, who both had 9-8 records in 2023, are projected to win 7.5 games.
The Carolina Panthers, who went 2-15 in 2023, are projected to win 5.5 games.
