The NFC South has produced the conference's #1 playoff seed each of the past two years, even if Atlanta couldn't turn it into a Super Bowl run last year the way New Orleans did the previous year. Here's how the best division in football shapes up, with predicted records and links to full team previews...

Tampa Bay (11-5): I like this team's young defensive line and Josh Freeman's ability as a difference-maker. It's Tampa's turn at the top.

New Orleans (11-5): If the Saints' defense can get back to their 2009 level another Super Bowl run is within reach.

Atlanta (10-6): The offense and the defensive front four are championship-caliber, but the back seven on defense still needs work.

Carolina (5-11): Carolina's got decent players, enough to be competitive on a weekly basis and steal a few wins. It's the lack of big-play personnel on both sides of the ball that holds them back.

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