nfc south standings over the years

Art Scpae

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28-10-2024

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A Tale of Two Titans: The NFC South Standings Through the Years

The NFC South, home to some of the NFL's most storied franchises, has been a battleground for dominance since its inception in 2002. From the reign of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the rise of the Carolina Panthers, the division has seen a constant shift in power. Let's take a journey through the NFC South standings and see how the teams have fared over the years.

The Buccaneers' Early Dominance

The Buccaneers, led by the legendary Jon Gruden, dominated the early years of the division. They captured three consecutive NFC South titles from 2002 to 2004, showcasing their defensive prowess and winning the Super Bowl in 2002.

• 2002: Tampa Bay (12-4), New Orleans (9-7), Atlanta (5-11), Carolina (7-9)
• 2003: Tampa Bay (11-5), Atlanta (11-5), Carolina (7-9), New Orleans (8-8)
• 2004: Tampa Bay (11-5), Carolina (11-5), Atlanta (9-7), New Orleans (8-8)

The Panthers' Rise and Fall

The Carolina Panthers quickly emerged as a serious contender, winning the division in 2003 and 2008. The 2003 team famously made it all the way to the Super Bowl, falling short to the New England Patriots.

• 2005: Carolina (11-5), Atlanta (8-8), New Orleans (3-13), Tampa Bay (4-12)
• 2006: New Orleans (10-6), Carolina (8-8), Atlanta (7-9), Tampa Bay (4-12)
• 2007: Carolina (7-9), New Orleans (7-9), Atlanta (4-12), Tampa Bay (9-7)
• 2008: Carolina (12-4), Atlanta (11-5), New Orleans (8-8), Tampa Bay (9-7)

The Saints' Moment of Triumph

The New Orleans Saints, enduring a period of rebuilding, finally achieved success in 2009, winning their first NFC South title. Their championship in 2010, ending the 2009 season, brought joy to the city of New Orleans and marked a turning point for the franchise.

• 2009: New Orleans (13-3), Atlanta (9-7), Tampa Bay (10-6), Carolina (8-8)
• 2010: Atlanta (13-3), New Orleans (11-5), Carolina (2-14), Tampa Bay (10-6)
• 2011: New Orleans (13-3), Atlanta (10-6), Carolina (6-10), Tampa Bay (4-12)
• 2012: Atlanta (13-3), New Orleans (7-9), Tampa Bay (7-9), Carolina (7-9)

The Falcons' Soaring and Stumbling

The Atlanta Falcons, despite their early inconsistency, emerged as a strong contender in the late 2000s and early 2010s. They won the division in 2010 and 2012, with their 2012 team reaching the NFC Championship game.

• 2013: Carolina (12-4), New Orleans (11-5), Atlanta (4-12), Tampa Bay (4-12)
• 2014: Carolina (7-8-1), New Orleans (7-9), Atlanta (6-10), Tampa Bay (2-14)
• 2015: Carolina (15-1), New Orleans (7-9), Atlanta (8-8), Tampa Bay (6-10)
• 2016: Atlanta (11-5), Tampa Bay (9-7), Carolina (6-10), New Orleans (7-9)
• 2017: New Orleans (11-5), Carolina (11-5), Atlanta (10-6), Tampa Bay (5-11)

The Buccaneers' Return to Glory

Tampa Bay experienced a resurgence under Tom Brady, winning the Super Bowl in 2021 and securing the NFC South title in 2021 and 2022. This marked a significant shift in the division's power dynamics.

• 2018: New Orleans (13-3), Carolina (7-9), Atlanta (7-9), Tampa Bay (5-11)
• 2019: New Orleans (13-3), Carolina (5-11), Atlanta (7-9), Tampa Bay (7-9)
• 2020: New Orleans (12-4), Tampa Bay (11-5), Carolina (5-11), Atlanta (4-12)
• 2021: Tampa Bay (13-4), Carolina (5-12), New Orleans (9-8), Atlanta (7-10)
• 2022: Tampa Bay (8-9), Carolina (7-10), New Orleans (9-8), Atlanta (7-10)

The Future of the NFC South

The NFC South remains a highly competitive division, with the Buccaneers still considered a powerhouse. However, the emergence of teams like the Carolina Panthers, under new leadership, and the continued improvement of the New Orleans Saints adds a new layer of intrigue. The future of the NFC South is wide open, promising plenty of exciting matchups and unpredictable seasons to come.