

New Orleans Running Back Mark Ingram has imposed his will on defenses this year.

The return of Linebacker Luke Kuechly has the Panthers defense winning again.

Tampa Quarterback Jameis Winston still is struggling with maturity issues on and off the field.

New Orleans Running Back Mark Ingram has imposed his will on defenses this year.
WINNING PEDIGREE
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It took all 17 weeks of the NFL Regular season for a champion to emerge out of the NFC South but the New Orleans Saints prevailed as the cream of the crop.

NFL Expert Analyst
Lance Goodman
2ND HALF PREVIEW
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
After some early season struggles on defense and confusion on offense, New Orleans has managed to string together a six game winning streak using an aggressive defense that is flying around the field and an offense that is finding great balance on the ground in through the air.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Carolina is a pretty interesting team. Their offense certainly doesn't overwhelm you with the style points, with a lackluster running game and Quarterback in Cam Newton who continues to be inconsistent throwing the football. With that in mind, the strength of the team is the defense, where the Panthers are dominant in the trenches, excellent at Linebacker and improved from a season ago in the secondary. It may not be pretty but Carolina is winning games
ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons haven't been able to match their winning ways from a season ago, with the biggest change being on offense where Atlanta dominated last season. The defense has held it's own and is playing well enough to keep Atlanta in games but offensive miscues that include turnovers and missed opportunities have the Falcons sitting at .500 right now.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Anything is possible but the Bucs season appears to be all but over as they begin the 2nd half at 2-6 and play their next game against the Jets without Quarterback Jameis Winston and Wide Receiver Mike Evans. The problems in Tampa remain the same with an average offensive line, inconsistent Quarterback play, no running game and lethargic defense that struggles to generate a pass rush and defend the pass.
NFC SOUTH RECORDS
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New Orleans 11 - 5
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Carolina 11 - 5
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Atlanta 10 - 6
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Tampa Bay 5 - 11