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Is the NFC South the toughest division in football?

By Sander Philipse
May 15, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) works out during organized team activities at One Buc. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
May 15, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) works out during organized team activities at One Buc. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had one impressive offseason. They've added six likely starters and several quality backups throughout the offseason, and return a few key players from injury. But their improvement may go unnoticed in what could very well be the toughest division in the NFL: the NFC South.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, a former NFL scout, ranked every division by the quality of its quarterbacks, and the NFC South comes out on top. Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Josh Freeman? That's an impressive list, with a veteran elite QB, a solid young quarterback, and two youthful quarterbacks oozing with potential and significant production to back it up.

With quarterback being the most important on a team by far, the NFC South may be the toughest division in the NFL, despite lackluster defenses and a lack of a quality pass rush. Even if the Bucs improve this season, and it's certainly likely they do, they could still easily end up being fourth in a cutthroat division.

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