2024 NFL Season NFC South Odds: Atlanta Falcons favored to bounce back

The Atlanta Falcons, with new starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, are favored to win the NFC South in 2024 after a third-place finish in 2023.

Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the division and beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the playoffs, but their 9-8 regular season record was the worst of any division winner in the league.

It seems that all four NFC South teams either stood pat or improved this offseason, meaning that fans should see better play from the four teams in 2024.

NFL NFC South 2024 - To Win Division

ATL Falcons	-120
TB Buccaneers	+300
NO Saints	+350
CAR Panthers	+1100

Atlanta Falcons -120

The Atlanta Falcons showed they meant business when they signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in March. The next month, the team surprised the NFL landscape by drafting QB Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Penix is likely to sit on the bench for at least two seasons while Cousins slings the ball to the talented group of Falcons skill position players including Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and newly-acquired players in Rondale Moore and Ray-Ray McCloud.

Atlanta had a mediocre defense last season, so they drafted defensive linemen Bralen Trice and Ruke Orhorhoro to put more pressure on QBs. And they bring back Jessie Bates III, who had six of the team's eight interceptions last season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +300

Led by a resurgent Baker Mayfield, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised the league last season as they won the division with a 9-8 record and beat the Eagles in the playoffs.

Mayfield is re-signed for 2024, but he'll work under a new offensive coordinator in Liam Coen after last year's OC, Dave Canales, took the head coaching job with a division rival.

The Bucs still have veteran wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and new draftee Jalen McMillan will provide a solid third receiving option. Last year's top running back, Rachaad White, gets some backfield support in the form of fourth-round draft pick Bucky Irving.

Tampa lost linebackers Devin White and Shaquil Barrett, but they managed to retain Lavonte David and safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead. They also added free agent Randy Gregory and drafted potential defensive contributors in edge rusher Chris Braswell and safety Tykee Smith.

New Orleans Saints +350

The New Orleans Saints had no salary cap flexibility this offseason, so they were seriously limited in terms of the moves they could make. Still, they managed to extend the contracts of defensive players Jonathan Abram, Tyrann Mathieu and Demario Davis as well as sign defensive end Chase Young.

The Saints drafted two players who could play big roles in 2024: Offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. Fuaga joins a relatively young O-line group protecting QB Derek Carr, while McKinstry provides some necessary youth to the New Orleans secondary.

New Orleans has six players making at least $12 million next year, and four of those players are over 30. A fifth player making over $12 million - wide receiver Michael Thomas - is not even on the active roster. If - and this is a big 'if' - the Saints' veterans can find their best levels this season, this team could surprise some people.

Carolina Panthers +1100

The Carolina Panthers have a new coach in former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales, and franchise owner David Tepper threw money at a few proven offensive linemen to protect prized quarterback Bryce Young. They still have a lot to change before they can think about having a winning season.

Young took 62 sacks last season, 14 short of the record for sacks taken in a single season. That's why Tepper signed Yosh Nijman, Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to fill out the offensive line. The backfield unit featuring Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and Jonathan Brooks should benefit from the new-look offensive line.

The team also picked up wideouts Diontae Johnson, David Moore and Xavier Legette to provide Young with targets after his over-reliance on veteran Adam Thielen last season - Thielen had 103 receptions while none of his teammates reached 50.

Defensively, star edge rusher Brian Burns was traded after being franchise tagged, but Jordan Fuller, Xavier Woods and Derrick Brown are notable returning players and Jadeveon Clowney was signed in free agency. The team should remain solid on this side of the ball under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.