Where do the Atlanta Falcons fall in NFC South in 2023?

2. Carolina Panthers

Without the benefit of considering the off-season, the Panthers have a clear argument as the number one team in the division. They were one play away from beating Tom Brady and the Bucs and controlling their own division before injuries in the secondary allowed Mike Evans to look like Randy Moss and pull Brady and Tampa temporarily out of the fire.

This division is going to be Carolina and Atlanta competing at the top with the winner decided by who finds the right guy at the most important position on the field. The Panthers owner has made it clear that he wants this team to win now and is willing to spend whatever it takes to put Carolina back on top.

That is the wildcard in this division that could push the team back ahead of Atlanta despite the difference in draft position and cap space. If the Panthers go out and land a star quarterback or bring Sean Payton in a trade there is reason to believe this team deserves to be considered the favorites heading into the 2023 season. For now, however, Carolina is still a team without a head coach and without a starting quarterback. Despite their solid roster, they lack clear leadership at the two most important positions leaving Atlanta in the driver’s seat heading into 2023.