Analyst Picks Buccaneers to Win NFC South, Credits Division Weakness

September 10, 2026 - 05:01

One prominent analyst is picking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to finish on top of the NFC South once again, but argues the prediction reveals more about the state of their rivals than the strength of the team itself.

The Buccaneers have stayed competitive in a division that has struggled to find consistency. While Tampa Bay has dealt with roster turnover and questions at key positions, the other three teams in the South have faced even bigger obstacles. Atlanta continues to search for stability under center, New Orleans is navigating salary cap challenges and an aging core, and Carolina remains in the middle of a rebuild that has yet to produce steady results.

That combination makes the Buccaneers the safest bet in a group without a clear powerhouse. The analyst noted that Tampa Bay does not need to be dominant to win the division. It simply needs to avoid collapse while the competition sorts out its own problems.

Still, the pick comes with caution. Winning the South may only guarantee a playoff spot, not a deep run. If the Buccaneers want to compete beyond January, they will need more than a weak division to carry them. For now, the path to a division title looks manageable, even if it is not a statement about their true ceiling.