Here is where the NFC South ranks among all eight divisions in the NFL for the 2026 season.
As we approach Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, the excitement continues to build. It's a new campaign, and every team has a shot. But for the Carolina Panthers, they are looking to improve off of last season's finish.
Carolina went 8-9 and won the tie-breaker over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons to earn the division title. They have something to prove this season however, as they want to take a step forward.
As for the division itself, it's not earning much respect going into this season. In fact, they are getting no love at all from CBS Sports.
Zachary Pereles ranked all eight divisions in the NFL going into the 2026 season. He ranked the NFC South dead last among those eight divisions:
For the third time in four years, the NFC South winner had single-digit wins. The division has combined for one playoff win in the past four seasons.
This, of course, is a measure of 2026, not the past. But it doesn't look especially promising.
The Panthers finally unseated the Buccaneers atop the division, and Carolina made big moves (Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd) in free agency to try to solidify their status. Still, Bryce Young has been a below-average quarterback at best his entire career, and injuries to OT Taylor Moton, OT Ikem Ekwonu, EDGE Nic Scourton, DL Tershawn Wharton and WR Chris BrazzellIII are concerns.
The Buccaneers haven't exactly had the smoothest training camp, and the Saints have already lost DL Bryan Bresee for the entire season and No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson for a significant part of it. The Falcons are having a decidedly underwhelming quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa , who has failed to impress, and Michael PenixJr., who is just now starting to participate in 11-on-11 drills. Long story short, there's not a single Super Bowl contender here. As of right now, it'd be a surprise if an NFC South team wins a playoff game.
While the NFC South was eighth, the AFC East was seventh, which is a little surprising, seeing they had two playoff teams last season, including one to the Super Bowl.
But it's not all doom. Having a poor division could work into the Panthers' favor in terms of having an easier path to win the division.
It will come down if the Panthers can improve or not, especially at quarterback with Bryce Young. If that's the case, they should be in good shape this upcoming season.
The Panthers will kick off their 2026 season by hosting the Chicago Bears on September 13th at 1 p.m. ET.
