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4. Carolina Panthers (4-12): Being the NFL's worst team from a season ago, the Panthers don't have high expectations to do anything this year. While this is true, #1 overall pick Cam Newton will have all eyes on him to see if he can make the transition from college to the pro's. Much to Newton's liking, the Panthers re-signed RB DeAngelo Williams to a five year $43 million extension. The former Heisman Trophy winner also has a new  head coach in Ron Rivera, who was a defensive coordinator in San Diego for three seasons. Rivera will not only have a tough task with his offense, but also his defense, who is still getting over the loss of Julius Peppers. Its obvious that 2011 will be to soon for this team to compete, especially in the NFC South, but things are looking up because of Newton in Carolina. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): Josh Freeman and the Bucs surprised everyone last year when they went 10-6 and nearly missed the playoffs. Freeman had 3,451 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions. If it weren't for Tom Brady or Mike Vick, then he would of been in the running for MVP. The problem with the Bucs is that they couldn't beat a team over .500 last season and in 2011, the Bucs face seven opponents who had a winning record in 2010. While Freeman and has a year under his belt as a starter, this team is still young and inexperienced. Add that to the fact they are in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL and making the playoffs becomes a whole lot harder. Tampa Bay also found some late round gems in Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount  that helped them achieve a winning record in 2010. If this teams wants to get to the playoffs, then their defense will have to get going. Mainly Gerald McCoy, who was the Bucs first round pick in the 2010 draft. McCoy only had three sacks and 28 tackles in his rookie season and will have to improve if he wants to be considered an elite defensive tackle. As for the secondary, Tampa has one of the most underrated CB tandems in the NFL with Aquib Talib and Ronde Barber. While the Bucs are talented, I think this team is to inexperienced to make the postseason in 2011.

2. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): The Falcons were the NFC's best team in 2010, achieving a record of 13-3 on their way to being the #1 seed in the playoffs. In a shootout with the Packers, the Falcons were dominated and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champs 48-21. Some of it had to do with the fact that the Falcons were one of the worst teams in big plays down field, so they traded up to get Alabama WR Julio Jones in the draft. Now that Jones is in the receiving core, expect the defense to slide away from Roddy White and take a little pressure off of Matt Ryan's favorite target. If the defense doesn't, expect Malcom Jenkings to get a lot more passes thrown to him. The defense was also a big problem for Atlanta in 2010 and they addressed that in free agency by signing Ray Edwards from the Vikings via free agency. Johnathon Babineaux and Edwards should make sure that nothing ever happens to that defense like last season. While 11 wins is a step down from 13 wins, I expect the Falcons to be improved where they were weak last season. 

1. New Orleans Saints (12-4): While the Saints were not able to defend their Super Bowl championship, they still were one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. QB Drew Brees was able to shake the "Madden Curse" after he appeared on the games cover by throwing for 4,620 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions. Even though he had a good season, the Saints did not finish the season well losing to the 7-9 Seahawks in the Wild Card round. 2010 might of ended badly for New Orleans, but out of all the teams in the NFL, they are the most likely to become a dynasty. Brees is one of the best QB's in the league and a vocal leader that any team would die to have. Marques Colston is his favorite target, but Brees is able to spread it out to anyone that is an eligible WR. The Saints did trade Reggie Bush to the Dolphins, but signed Darren Sproles and drafted Mark Ingram (who is a front runner for rookie of the year). The defense is also great and with Greg Williams at the helm, they are scary good (just ask Alex Smith). Bringing in Aubryo Franklin to help their pass rush was a good move and its not crazy to think that the Saints could be a top five defense. Its also not crazy to think that this team can win the Super Bowl.