After four years of dominance by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers surprisingly took the division crown in 2025. Will the Bucs regain it, or will we see another shock in 2026?
With Week 1 approaching, the “First Things First” crew of Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Danny Parkins predicted how the NFC South standings would shake out. And in a division that seems unpredictable entering the year, all three reached a consensus on who they think will finish in first place.
Here’s how all three see the NFC South unfolding in 2026.
Nick Wright’s NFC South Prediction
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Wright wasn’t convinced he would see a leap forward from the Panthers, pointing to quarterback Bryce Young as the reason.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of evidence that Bryce turned a corner,” Wright said. “He had a nice stretch, but overall, the course of the season, it was a hell of a lot like Year 2.”
Wright added he expects Carolina to finish at or around six wins.
Wright was more bullish on the Falcons, landing on them as his deep sleeper to sneak into the playoffs at nine wins. He pointed to running back Bijan Robinson and a potential step forward from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as reasons for optimism.
“I think Bijan might be number one on the NFL 100 next year,” Wright said. He also credited new head coach Kevin Stefanski, pointing to Stefanski’s track record of getting the most out of his quarterbacks in Cleveland.
Wright surprised many and had two teams in the South making the playoffs as he picked the Buccaneers to finish 11-6 atop the division. Wright said the additions of rookie pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and the return of Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey up front. He was skeptical Tampa Bay would miss Mike Evans as much as some expect after his departure in free agency.
Chris Broussard’s NFC South Prediction
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Broussard agreed with Wright on the Panthers finishing last, questioning whether Bryce Young has taken the step many expect.
“I thought Bryce was better last year, but he still wasn’t good,” Broussard said. He was more optimistic about Carolina’s defense with the addition of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, but placed the Panthers behind both the Saints and Falcons in his prediction.
On the Falcons, Broussard credited the talented players at other positions on the roster while raising concerns about durability at quarterback. “They have no idea who’s getting away with it,” Broussard said of Atlanta’s quarterback competition, adding that both options have been particularly injury-prone.
Broussard had the Buccaneers on top, pointing to quarterback Baker Mayfield’s contract situation as extra motivation heading into the year. “Baker’s got a chip on his shoulder, lots approved, money on the line,” Broussard said
Danny Parkins’ NFC South Prediction
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All three hosts agreed the Buccaneers are the team to beat, pointing to the return of quarterback Baker Mayfield, an improved offensive line and a retooled defensive front as reasons for confidence heading into the season.
“The Bucs, to me, are the clear-cut team,” Parkins said.
Parkins broke from his co-hosts by ranking the Panthers second, pointing to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan and the Jaelan Phillips signing as reasons for belief in a jump.
“I think Tetairoa McMillan could be a top 10 receiver by the end of the year,” Parkins said. He also said the Phillips addition should provide a boost for a Carolina pass rush that struggled a season ago.
Parkins ranked the Falcons last in the division, citing concern about the quarterback situation undercutting a talented supporting cast.
“It’s a team with great skill position players and not much else,” Parkins said, adding that Atlanta invested heavily in its pass rush this offseason only to be hit by off-field issues affecting that group.
