Embed from Getty Images
The NFC South boasts potentially exciting offenses. However, which divisional pass rushes will stop them more often?
While the retirement of Tom Brady looms large, the NFC South should surprise people. Granted, many don’t fathom the latent potential of this division. As a result, no team stands above the rest as the overwhelming favorite, Yet, what will win this division doesn’t occur on the offensive side of the ball. With each team blessed with receiving threats, stopping the pass remains the most important aspect. Which two NFC teams have the best pass rushes?
New Orleans Saints
While Cam Jordan continues to stack a potential Hall of Fame legacy, the surrounding cast around him continues to improve. Granted, no one expects double-digit dominance from anyone else upfront. However, the unit is better than anyone individual. With Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders in the middle, the second biggest beneficiary of that luxury will be Carl Granderson. Entering his fifth year, Granderson comes off a career-high in sacks (6.5). He defeats opponents with technique and proper limb usage than mind-bending talent. Playing smart and sound to bookend Jordan makes sense.
Carolina Panthers
At 25 years of age, Brian Burns steps into the national conversation as an elite pass rusher. Burns, as the younger generation brags, delves into his bag, using a myriad of moves and counters. Hands down, the best edge rusher in the NFC South. Now, we understand that speed brough him to the NFL, but flexibility and power conversion will keep him there. Battering the interior of the line are Shy Tuttle and Derrick Brown. In Tuttle, Carolina can depend on a nose to absorb the center and a guard that really loves phonebooth fighting. With that said, the lone question mark is Yetur Gross-Matos. Matos emphasizes a textbook, unexciting style that will not scare anyone. So, why are the Panthers ranked so highly with just one accomplished pass rusher? If you look down at the depth chart, Amare Barno stands out. In fifty-one defensive snaps, the Virginia Tech product notched two sacks and looked like he possesses the bounce and springs on the edge. Barno doesn’t need to unseat Gross-Matos, just cut into his total snaps.
- Feed has no items.
Around Full Press Coverage
OPINION: Morten Andersen: The Toughest Place To Kick? For Me, It Was This Place
NFL: NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Week 2
NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Stock Report: Week 2 2022
FULL PRESS BETS: NFL MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Leapfrogs Josh Allen For Top Spot
FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 54: Chargers At Chiefs Preview
Not Atlanta or Tampa
For a certain segment of the readership that prefers to ” rise up”, or play in a pirate ship, this article is not really for you. The Falcons will roll out Bud Dupree. Dupree cannot stay healthy, as evidenced by playing more than fifteen games just once in the last four seasons. In all honest, the Falcons waited too long to pair Grady Jarrett with an edge threat. Meanwhile, this incarnation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lacks any credible threat outside of Shaquil Barrett. That defense looks like heavy blitzing will get people home, instead of just upfront. Not so much a layup in the NFC South, but a possibly easier day.
Overview
The NFC South is wide open. As mentioned, without a dominant team, who steps forth? Under those circumstances, cobbling together a quality pass rush will ultimately win this division. Additionally, creating constant pressure means more than sacks. Pressure doesn’t grant a reprieve or a break. The South will be many things. Hopefully, fun sits atop the list.