Rich Eisen’s Best-Case Scenarios for the Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers & Panthers in the 2024 Season

Rich Eisen previews the NFC South and lays out the best-case scenarios for the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tune in to the Emmy-nominated Rich Eisen Show live for FREE on The Roku Channel at go.roku.com/thericheisenshow and also streaming on Audacy, Sirius channel 161 and XM channel 206 (Online channel 998) weekdays from 12--3 PM ET!
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[@surfrenegade26]

Omg, did somebody actually give the Buccaneers.... respect?? Rich Eisen is my man

[@LaMute32]

I subscribed immediately

[@direden]

He's a Baker fan! And has been from the beginning

[@sadonaut]

Go 4 the Bowl! BAKERNEERS!!!!

[@jtyoung4019]

Pause**

[@Gwrightproductions1]

​@@diredenYes, but his analysis is legit for best case scenario. we're built enough for a deep playoff run and possibly SB

[@rorysmakingamovie]

This segment is UNHINGED and i love it

[@Aphercotropes]

Great segment for the offseason. It's basically the ultimate fan service.

[@colcad25]

Love the optimism and positivity ... delusional but refreshing.

[@Cheeks730]

As a Bucs fan he’s absolutely being delusional I love it though lol

[@IAmAMeateater]

It’s “best case scenario” not “I think this is what’s gonna happen”

[@xHeLLz]

@@Cheeks730you ain’t a bucs fan

[@chrispauldupre]

i agree definitely 💯 delusional! Tampa Bay goto Super Bowl….. 💯 delusional.

[@ElectricLarry__]

​@@xHeLLzHe's more like a realist who knows better lol

[@robertgortman6565]

The NFC South best case scenario segment is absolutely on point for each team. Awesome work and ideas! Go BUCS!

[@mitchlandry2729]

He’ll no the bucs got worse

[@alexgruel9932]

It isn't only the Colts that have ever jumped by ten wins. Miami went 1-15 in 2007 and jumped to 11-5 in 2008, winning the division. The wildcat year.

[@DemonKing1515]

Which also made the Patriots the first 11-5 team in history to miss the playoffs

[@kaptainkush4351]

@@DemonKing1515 As a Pats fan I find this whole conversion offense and demand you stop discussing this topic immediately or I will report you for hate crimes!

[@ryanhoward6032]

Tampa might not win a Superbowl but they're still a playoff team. They have most of there players back and did well in the draft. They can win the NFC South again or get a wild card spot

[@trogdor20X6]

They're a playoff team for the mere fact that they're in the worst division in the NFL lol

[@michaelgoodpaster183]

@@trogdor20X6 Cold take.

[@trogdor20X6]

@@michaelgoodpaster183 facts

[@SenorJuan2023]

You have to win the division in the NFC South to make the playoffs.

[@ATLfalcons808]

Atlanta sweeps everyone in the nfc south this year

[@vb72517]

As a falcons fan, I'd love this! But damn... don't get my hopes up 😂

[@lilloc2094]

What do u think about the saints?

[@vb72517]

@lilloc2094 what about em... as a falcons fan I despise them but don't ever under estimate them

[@lilloc2094]

@vb72517 u think they got good draft picks this year tho? And how do u think the Falcons did on their picks

[@vb72517]

@lilloc2094 I think they did ok. It's too early to tell for both. Honestly it's always a crap shoot my friend. Anything before the season is just speculation. I was ok with Atlanta's draft. Wasn't bothered in the least by the Penix pick either.

[@lilloc2094]

@vb72517 I don't blame u you guys got an Elite Kurt cousins to

[@deanladue5367]

I think Bryce Youmg could have a renaissance season. He has a coach who's willing to work with him and develop him. Unlike the last head coach who didn't want to draft him. If Carolina can pick up another RB to solidify the running game a bit more, the Panthers could sneak up on Tampa Bay and Atlanta in the division.

[@Bucs4life96]

Bucs.. I believe!

[@TheKindredblades]

It's very nice to see the optimism. Great new segment Rich!

[@mazzi.ozborne]

i really hope God makes Atlanta Falcons’ best case scenario come to past. 🙏🏾

[@a1colossal864]

He spoke my falcons up ‼️🤏🏽

[@TheWillisShow]

As a Falcons fan, I love the enthusiasm from Rich. But after so many disappointing seasons, I don’t know if I’ll ever see the Falcons win a Super Bowl. I hate being that pessimistic.

[@NathanielWhitehead-vg3lc]

I love this segment! I don't think half of it will happen, but I appreciate the positivity, lol.

[@edwardoorjitham7714]

Bucs in the SB!!! Yes!!

[@CelebriniSharks]

The easy/lazy media "Panthers are worst at everything," I get it lowest amount of effort is required. When they play well and win games (since their situation is soooooo terrible) Calanles gets COY right?

[@stylisticdave]

Canales would definitely have earned it… Now, will the city of Charlotte pony up $800M to keep the Panthers there?

[@nathanlather3224]

Considering the team is investing in renovating the stadium, and an MLS team was just recently founded by the same owner... they aren't going anywhere soon

[@FreefallSC]

@@stylisticdavenope, let them walk. Love the team but if anyone doesn’t deserve more tax money it is the guy that just screwed over the city of Rock Hill on the practice facility they footed over a ton of tax money to build.

[@OvertPumkin]

​@@FreefallSC...rockhill didn't pay the bill wtf are you talking about.

[@emrecankarabacak]

Please keep overlooking the Saints.

[@Cornholioballer28]

😴

[@DayzedGamingDG]

Please let it be true for my beloved Falcons...it's been so tough these many years🙏

[@sirtavion20]

I would love that for us.... been rough since 2016

[@nickd2296]

Being in the weakest division improves their odds but they play the Chiefs this year.

[@thomaswest5523]

The Falcons find a way to disappoint their fans again.

[@mythrapi73]

@@thomaswest5523 lol so true

[@nickmacmillan9621]

As a die hard bucs fan, how y'all have criminally underutilized Kyle Pitts is beyond me.

[@Travis89-ob5tt]

Thank you Rich I appreciate the love Tampa seems to be getting put in the bottom tier again after they were last year and managed to win the division 4x in a row with an 80 million dead cap hit. The disrespect is crazy but not surprising people barely know anything about the roster.

[@me-cq6ro]

Two Things people get wrong about the Bucs: A: We're an aging roster. We're actually one of the youngest teams in the league. This is far from the Super Bowl team and was so last year. Aside from Lavonte and Evans its a large gap down in age. There's lots of growth potential. B: We're lost without Canales. Canales was an EXCELLENT coach with a strong sense of what he wants to do. He was also a complete rookie as an OC and had heavy struggles most of the year while showing flashes often getting bailed out by individual play of Evans, Rashaad and Baker. Would have loved to keep him on and see where he develops as an OC, but he got an HC opportunity. Coen so far makes as much of a positive impression as Canales did last year with a bigger focus on scheme (already presenting and installing strong solutions to last years problems) and at least on coaching staff he's assembled an upgrade (IMO). In any case, there are reasons Bucs fans are very excited. And few would have imagined us to be at this point after how 2022 ended.

[@antonioanderson9557]

I want EVERYTHING predicted for my Falcons in this segment to come TRUE!!

[@joellaughren5870]

I love this segment. It’s awesome. I wish more shows did positive things like this

[@Josh_Stringer]

If this was on ESPN, once someone gave the best case scenario, 4 screaming heads would be yelling about how stupid it is. This is great! ESPN is unwatchable.

[@TylerManter-ng9xm]

Go Saints .

[@positivepatrick2009]

Might be my favorite segment ever.

[@co_opking5009]

I love this best case scenario 😊 keep it up 💪🏾💪🏾

[@thomasthompson3861]

Got a little excited there at the end 😂

[@SenorJuan2023]

That's what she said.

[@Kyle22oifer]

God bless all! Christ loves yall ✝️🤍

[@farakhhanif]

The Colts didn't win 13 games in Peyton's rookie year. They went 3-13 in 1997 to earn the first overall pick in the 98 draft which they used on Peyton. In his rookie season, they went 3-13 to earn the 4th overall pick in the 99 draft which they used on Edgerrin James. In his second season, they improved to 13-3.

[@saintsfan39475]

Soooo, isn't that a 10 win differential?

[@farakhhanif]

@@saintsfan39475It is, but that isn't the information which I was correcting. Rich said that after the Colts drafted Peyton, they improved by 10 games which isn't the case. It was in his second season.

[@mitchw4374]

@@farakhhanifyep, he acted like getting Payton alone made a 10 win turn around when it did nothing. They needed more pieces liked Edge and one year of development for Payton to turn it around.

[@lynnerose7891]

@@mitchw4374 Getting Peyton Manning dId NoThInG. Um someone doesn’t understand drafting. It absolutely did do something. It allowed them to not draft a QB so they could build around Peyton. I know what you are going to reply with but that’s just inaccurate, bc if the majority of those pieces weren’t already there, then they wouldn’t have had a ten win turnaround.

[@mitchw4374]

@@lynnerose7891 My point was it did nothing for that specific season because they were 3-13 the year before Payton came. The show tried to make it seem just drafting Payton alone made a 10 win turn around when it was a lie, it was a 0 win turn around. There were many things that lead to it,. I agree getting Payton was the most important piece, but he needed time to develop and add more pieces before they could turn it around.

[@ryanlinton2663]

Your NFC South predicting is like your Jets predictions......clueless😂.. Love the show, would like to hear more from TJ❤

[@Lukebama]

Great take on the bucs and panthets

[@BrothaKays]

He’s on point- best case and very likely

[@tylermccann848]

Rich is one of the only analysts in the mainstream media that believes in the Bucs, and I'm here for it.

[@mythrapi73]

lol just remember he picked the Raiders to win it all couple years ago

[@tylermccann848]

@@mythrapi73 that's like Bruno, and fight club, we don't talk about it 🤣

[@likwidhits9461]

Man as a Saints fan I’m just being 💯 here but I see little difference at this point between the Bucs, the Falcons, and the Saints. Falcons have a head coach that has failed in the past, an offensive coordinator that has never called plays in the NFL, and a slightly above average aging QB coming off an Achilles injury. Not saying the stars won’t align and they won’t be great, but theres too many unanswered questions here to call this season for the Falcons, and the Bucs? Heh… the Bucs won the division last season, but they were not the best team in the NFC South by almost any statistical metric. It will be between the Saints, the Bucs, or the Falcons, but I don’t see a clear winner here.

[@olivershore508]

falcons fan here and i totally agree it’s going to be a very close battle between the bucs, falcons, and saints

[@bobby-ux1sn]

this division is on the uprise

[@tronmcbride6638]

If the falcons did that I mite cry.

[@jasontye3307]

Love it, Rich. Atl winning the SB in Nawlins is a good one!

[@MarioBuc]

The Buccaneers have been under rated. We have Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. The Bucs are going to run the ball too.

[@djcook]

do worst case scenarios for teams

[@ICEONEMUSIC]

Allgeier player of the year!

[@Jrab72]

RIP Bill Walton This segment is a great way to honor him

[@Benjamin-fc9ww]

These are crazy Rich lol

[@nickcamarillo8175]

So Carr is the 3rd, 4th best in the division? Let’s see how it actually plays out.

[@lastfirst23163]

What happens if the Bucs consistently make it to the playoffs and win at least a wild card game? Do the bucs keep bringing it back?

[@weareresolutew.a.r.3643]

Blitz on first and second downs... Canales runs on these downs, probably 90% of the time! (Bucs fan)

[@TyrellAdeyemi]

FINALLY some respect for my Bucs! 3 Straight Division Championships and ppl throw us to the side! The Falcons take is WILD though. New coach, New QB off an Achilles, underperforming TE, on a team that's never won the big one and they're potential SB champs 😂

[@Thomas-Truth]

Peyton Manning WAS the qb for the 3-13 season. 26 TD passes, 28 INT.

[@SenorJuan2023]

Saints best case is NFC title game, but it's unlikely due only to offensive line issues.

[@thomasthompson3861]

And refs...oops

[@NovaVsDon]

To be honest. Anyone of Falcons, Saints & Bucs can make the NFC championship this year. If they on their game and make the playoffs. I’m a falcon fan and I believe falcons have the best team in the division and have the best chance to do it. But I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the other 2 win the division

[@SenorJuan2023]

@@NovaVsDon I generally agree, but I suspect Falcons finish third in the division.

[@tyrannicaltypomichaeltester]

Falcons have a real shot to explode With cousins with so many weapons with cousins definitely playoffs bound witg that underrated Defense also. Also Tampa looks to be good saints we will see. Panthers bottom of the division but improvements seen

[@aaronflanary271]

Tampa getting love? I'm so happy

[@MyEveryDayDope]

This was fun…

[@StrainMan_420]

That’s a lot more optimistic than I thought you would be about the panthers 😂😂

[@slowhand256]

SB win in New Orleans I love it.

[@Professor-of-Gaming]

As a panther psl owner since 99... i just wanna see a big step forward. I don't have delusions of winning the south or the superbowl in 2024.... crawl, walk, then run. We aren't ready to run... yet This division should (anything can happen) go through the Bucs. The bucs are a much better team than people give them credit for, and Baker's attitude is a perfect fit for that team. It should be a much more fun season than last

[@jetthehawktft4674]

Its pretty sad that Tampas best case he says is SUPER BOWL and yet he doesnt even feel comfortable giving the panthers 9 wins

[@labonniewellspfc]

Tampa was 1 drive away from NFC Championship game last year…

[@lh1678]

The Falcons win the SB in NOLA 24-3..Then the team turns around and moons the city.

[@RyanCourville-zm8so]

Im a Saints fan and im suposwd yo hate the other teamd but, i like them and like seeing them succeed and I ALWAYS find myself endings up a fan of the under dogs.

[@reannagordon]

Best case scenario for the Falcons is they win the superbowl in their rivals (the Aints) stadium… like the Chiefs did to the Raiders in Las Vegas

[@bigr6298]

SuperBowl segment over😂

[@uthamanj]

As a Panthers fan, I'll take 8-9. As long as the offense looks better.

[@mjsheets5936]

As a Bucs fan, if the Falcons had signed Belichick, I would be worried. Very worried. However, I'm not even concerned about a team with Raheem Morris at the helm. I've seen that movie before, close up. I know how that story will end.

[@johnulrich8470]

Are you talking about when he coached y’all’s team 13-14 years ago? Dude was like 30 years old. You’re telling me he hasn’t learned from Sean Mcvay and gotten a ring under him. Come on man be hopeful. Well actually never mind you’re a bucs fan so get ready to come in second in the division to my ATL Falcon

[@mjsheets5936]

@@johnulrich8470 😅😂

[@jasonkearns6862]

Wow this dude is nuts

[@TedAtchley]

Most teams record will change by plus or minus four games year over year.

[@jorgepavon7519]

Falcons looking dangerous With Kirk cousins

[@Blank-jt3nj]

The Falcons one seems a little agregious, but I like the positivity

[@lgoebel93]

Love the show. Only question is if 20/32 teams best case scenario is winning the Superbowl, then what really is the point of the segment?? 😂

[@Valentines2k]

Falcons!!!! 💯

[@TheRedStateBlue]

The entire national sports media world is sleeping on the Bucs... except Rich Eisen. They have a fantastic core of players, Licht trimmed off a bunch of fat in the off season and had a great draft. Hopefully, last years issues have been solved. I wanted a punishing RB like Henry, but the Irving kid looks legit. We'll see. Should be a fun season.

[@thegreendank1]

I think baker takes another step back now that canales has left. Unfortunately because i do wish baker the best, but i think a lot of that success was the duo of baker and dave.

[@123robbyb]

Dave was the problem a lot of the time

[@guitarcomet5]

Bryce’s “light” is gonna get snuffed out this year.

[@timwideman9805]

I would think winning the Super Bowl would be every team’s best case scenario.

[@BraedonStorey]

As a Panthers fan. YES!!! 7 wins (improvement) sounds feasible. I do not believe we will make the playoffs, however this year we can throw punches back… God willing.

[@anthonypa8045]

Yea i can see baker leading the bucs to the superbowl, dude is just a winner. He balled out last year won another playoff game and probowl mvp. So i can see it. Wouldnt bet alot of money on it though.

[@KingAtlantasupporter]

I got the falcons going to the superbowl and wining it back to back

[@eduardopoceros7737]

Bucs and falcons can win the superbowl but new orleans cant when new orleans destroyed both back to back to end last season? They are the Most talented team in the division or at least theyre in the same level. Last season they had the worst oc in the league and still got 9 wins (wouldve been 10 with a division championship if carr didnt get Injuried against green Bay when they were up 17-0 and winston couldnt get a 1st down to save his life)

[@michaellaroche3418]

Everything you said is correct except the being the most talented team bucs and falcons are moe talented maybe not by wide margin but still are saints roster kinda old

[@double2706]

Rich are you a closet bucs fan? I love you talking my bucs! Thanks!

[@williigillyard8210]

If Pitts dominates with fundamentals and his skill is a crazy plus. Then you can't put 8 in the box on Bijan running or receiving.

[@ByGriPhone]

Best case scenario for the Panthers is not finishing 0-17.

[@claytongiampaolo7848]

They'll get 5 wins I'm guessing, them or the saints will be worst in the division

[@unc54]

You're hilarious bro

[@danny13fox43]

Rich thanks for not shitting on the Falcons

[@JN-ye8qo]

Falcons almost won the division with literally the worst QB in football. Swapping out that clown for Kirk is worth 5 wins alone.

[@KoolMan685]

Peyton Manning’s rookie year was 3-13. Still the same result of +10 wins the next year, just wrong context

[@rip8564]

If the Falcons win a SB in NOLA it would be perfect. All those Who Dats will have to watch these Dirty Birds party non-stop for days, weeks, months, and many many years!!!! It’ll be glorious.

[@bryancroley2667]

I'm a panthers fan... if you guys had to win a superbowl, that scenario would make me happy too

[@christiansmith6776]

Bruh, I'd personally take a Peachtree sign to New Orleans and turn Bourbon St into Peachtree St

[@trogdor20X6]

lol it was so hard to make a convincing case for the Panthers being good

[@Bradum]

This segment had been optimistic but plausible.... Up until they said the Falcons could win the SB. Just too big a stretch; at that point you might as well say every team's best case scenario is SB.

[@eddienash2095]

The Bucs also had 80 mil deadcap last season

[@larrybailey408]

I Love it ,but NO concussion for Cusions.

[@alphatrion4365]

Similar as last year. Bucs and Falcons battle for the top spot. Saints with the Panthers clipping at their heels trying to improve on last season.

[@SenorJuan2023]

Saints and Bucs battle for the top spot, Falcons come in third.

[@jessegardner134]

It was Saints and Bucs battling for the top spot last season, and Saints actually routed TB in week 17. TB and Falcons will battle for 2nd in the division, and that's assuming Falcons don't end up going on a losing streak to open the season while Cousins gets used to his new team. Saints will win the division. There's potential for a 3 way race, if everything goes right for TB and ATL. It's absolutely insane the Rich here would claim that TB and ATL both have SB aspirations, yet wouldn't do the same for the Saints, who not only had a better record than one of those teams, but also managed to blow out both of those teams to end the season. Make it make Sense 😂

[@mig-l9059]

❤😂

[@TylerManter-ng9xm]

Im A Saints Fan .

[@solostrate1791]

Saints win a playoff game. Book it today

[@claytongiampaolo7848]

They'll probably be worse than the panthers

[@SenorJuan2023]

@@claytongiampaolo7848 You're on more drugs than Rich is. Saints improved in the offseason and will do worse? Makes no sense.

[@voiceofreason2674]

I hope so I'm not impressed with DA or DC but I got their backs. If I was on the team I'd be optimistic to the media. But I'm not so I can speak my mind, Derek Carr is not better than Andy Dalton Jameis or Taysom. Dennis Allen is not head coach material. Prove me wrong go win the division.

[@bigsmokey7843]

@@claytongiampaolo7848 wtf u smoking, Panthers can’t even score TD’s.

[@ATLfalcons808]

By next year in 2025 aints prolly be the bottom feeders of the nfc south😂😂

[@mannied6395]

As a Saints fan....I see yet Another .500 season.....average at best until we fire D.A

[@Yomamahouse69420]

We just hot a new OC DA is a glorified DC

[@icholas1527]

Bucs deep playoff run obviously. Other teams okay.

[@LZ21-]

Offense has been the major issue since Sean left and Pete got handed play calling duties, kubiak will bring in a better more fresher scheme influenced by kyle and all the other guys he worked with such as stefanski in Minnesota. DA is a average HC at best but our defense has always been solid under him and borderline underrated when everyone’s healthy and they let us get chase opposite grando. Keep sleeping on us and you’ll see what happens, also carr has been unfortunate with the schemes he’s been in having McDaniels and then Carmichael isn’t great at all he looked good under gruden, he will look good under kubiak and at worst be a game manager who can bring the division back to the old days and not being called the weakest Div in ball.

[@BlooPoker]

This division will shock everyone this year finally get rid of the “easiest division” title

[@youtubepremium8785]

Kirk Cousins and Super Bowl dont belong in the same sentence.

[@lelouchx8996]

Saints had the EASIEST schedule in the league last year and went 9-8 fam they in the running this year for the #1 pick of the 2025 draft

[@DMkizzy]

They had the worst offensive scheme/coaches in the NFL and still managed to get 9-8 with only their talent and defense and mind you they have arguably the best defensive play caller in the league in Dennis Allen, they added Klint Kubiak as OC with a new scheme that caters to the saints talent just hearing how the saints players talk about the new offense tells you all you need to know about last years offense, There’s no way they don’t win their division atleast.

[@lelouchx8996]

@@DMkizzy mind you they DIDNT play Kansas city, Buffalo, Dallas, San Fran, Philly, Ravens or Miami so please miss me with the excuses

[@eduardopoceros7737]

They had the "easiest" on paper before the season started but games like the texans and bucs were considered givens (even the media claimed the bucs were in the running for the 1st overall). Overall they had 6 games against playoffs teams and two games against teams that were in wildcard contention (jaguars and colts, in fact the colts were a possesion away from winning the division). They still managed to get 9 wins with the worst offensive coordinator in the league and were a missed fg away from the playoffs (they were up 17-0 on green Bay before carr got Injuried and winston couldnt get a 1st down for 2 qrts). Its ok if you dont watch saints games but Claiming they are in contention for the 1st overall is straight up dumb

[@DMkizzy]

@@lelouchx8996 They can drop all those games and still win their division games and make the playoffs, they ended their season with their shitty offensive scheme still killing Atlanta and beating Tampa. The fact is they have the talent to by far compete with those teams you listed on both sides of the ball, just comes down to their coaching, their defensive coaching is excellent, if klint can get his offense right there is no way the saints can’t compete with those teams across the board.

[@SenorJuan2023]

Every team in the division had easy schedules. Saints strong everywhere except oline. Do you even watch football?

[@ZacharyJohnG]

What was the “Kyle pitts American touchdowns” comment about ?

[@MalcIgg]

Didn't he only score in the international game last year, something like that I'd guess?

[@sfslax]

Is it me or does baker look like hes 350 lbs in the thumbnail pic haha

[@ThatmanShowtime]

If it's not Tampa again I see the saints winning the division

[@Hauntingthechappell]

My Panthers aren't winning more than 6 games this year, let alone 8 lol

[@thecarguy4304]

Bryce young needs to ask Drew Brees to give him some personal training sessions. Drew was able to overcome his height situation I think he could help Bryce

[@alex-9763]

Bryce play struggles was due to line and receiver play

[@thecarguy4304]

@@alex-9763 that was a lot of the problem but ilhe could still use some help

[@alex-9763]

@@thecarguy4304 I mean as a Bucs fan when he played the Bucs he did look solid, they probably should’ve beat the Bucs on the last game of season but Antoine Winfield balled out. Bryce makes plays that are dependent on his improvising skills; imagine if he didn’t nearly always improvise he would be great. He’s forced to improvise because his team around him is not good

[@thecarguy4304]

@@alex-9763 I think he is a good player. The one thing I like about the draft is for the most part the teams that suck or have bad organizational structures get to pick you and you don't have a choice

[@alex-9763]

@@thecarguy4304 They traded up for bryce