Last season: 2-14

2015 prediction: 10-6

Last season I proclaimed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were going to win the NFC South, and what did they do? They had the worst record in the NFL. So I would be a fool to go with them to win the division this season right?

Well, call me crazy, but that is exactly what I am doing. I love Jameis Winston. I think he is going to lead a stellar offense that includes wide receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

Their defense will also be better this season with players like linebacker Bruce Carter and defensive backs Bradley McDougald and Johnthan Banks poised for breakout years. All of this will equal the Bucs winning the division for the first time in nearly 10 years.

New Orleans Saints

Last season: 7-9

2015 prediction: 9-7

Fans in New Orleans have to be scratching their heads about their beloved Saints’ mediocre season last year. But I have good news: The Saints are in for a better 2015 campaign.

Drew Brees is still arguably a top-five quarterback and will have one of the best young receivers in the game in Brandin Cooks to throw to. Running back Mark Ingram should have a good season as well.

Their defense is still a little suspect, which is why I didn’t pick them to do better. But their offense should lead to them competing for a playoff spot.

Atlanta Falcons

Last season: 6-10

2015 prediction: 8-8

The last couple of seasons have been a rough go around for the Atlanta Falcons. The team has only won 10 games in two years.

But with new head coach Dan Quinn at the helm and some new key players, the Falcons should have a better season this year.

The team bodes one of the best receiving pairs in the league with Julio Jones and Roddy White. They also have a pair of young running backs in Davonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

And of course they still have a top 10 quarterback in Matt Ryan.

Their defense also got better with the additions of linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant. All of this should make the dirty birds a more competitive team.

Carolina Panthers

Last season: 7-8-1

2015 prediction: 6-10

If I would have written this prediction earlier, the Carolina Panthers would have been much higher on my list. But due to the injury of Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers have fallen to the bottom of my list.

With the injury, quarterback Cam Newton lost his biggest weapon, and his options on offense are severely limited.

The defense appears to be the only saving grace for the Panthers this season. Luke Kuechly is arguably one of the best defensive players in the league and will look to improve upon the Panthers’ top-10 defense from a year ago. But the bottom line is you still need to be able to move the football in the NFL to be successful, and as of right now, I don’t see that happening.

Brandon Walton is a sports reporter at The Argus Observer. Contact him at (541) 823-4806 or email him at [email protected].