NFC South division preview 2024 predicted order of finish, record Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) Baker Mayfield's continued resurgence at quarterback and a stable defense will lead to a fourth consecutive division title. Atlanta Falcons (9-8) Kirk Cousins is an upgrade at quarterback and adding edge rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons make a return to the playoffs after a six-year absence realistic. New Orleans Saints (7-10) They could be better than this, but only if an offensive line featuring three unproven starters jells quickly. Carolina Panthers (5-12) Rookie coach Dave Canales will benefit Bryce Young, as he did Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, but the team ceiling remains low. –NFC South top MVP candidates Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Mayfield had his most productive season in 2023 and earned a huge contract. His leadership and the increased comfort level of a second season with wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and tight end Cade Otten should mean an outstanding offensive season. Saints QB Derek Carr If the offensive line is OK, Carr should thrive under first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak. The versatility of Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill and a play-action game that takes advantage of young receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed should be reminiscent of the 49ers system that Kubiak brought with him. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson New coordinator Zac Robinson's system, which he operated with the Rams, should enable Robinson, who had more than 1,000 yards of total offense as a rookie last season, to excel. –NFC South breakout players Bucs RB Rachaad White The arrival of one-time Rams coordinator Liam Coen from Kentucky should be a perfect fit with White's combination of size and athleticism, both as a runner and in the screen game. Bucs LB Yaya Diaby Diaby had an impact as a rookie last season, making 7.5 sacks, and his continued maturation will allow him to be even more productive as a sophomore. Falcons WR Drake London Erratic quarterback play held down the team's passing game last season, but Cousins' consistency and Bijan Robinson will create opportunities that London will take advantage of. Falcons CB AJ Terrell Terrell is a rising defensive star and having gotten his new, hefty contract out of the way will enable him to focus on becoming an elite playmaker. Panthers QB Bryce Young Young never had a chance as a rookie behind a poor offensive line. The Panthers upgraded the line and Canales will shepherd him through a much better season. Panthers CB Jaycee Horn Horn has been limited by injury in his first three seasons, but he played in 13 games last season and continued health will be key to him becoming a leader on a defense needing leaders. Saints WR/RS Rashid Shaheed Shaheed's explosiveness makes him dangerous as both a big-play receiver and a return specialist. He'll benefit from Kubiak's scheme and the new kickoff rules that will provide more opportunities. Saints DT Bryan Bresee The former Clemson star had a solid rookie season in 2023 and he has moved into the starting lineup. The presence of Cam Jordan and the arrival of Chase Young on the outside will allow Bresee to become a consistent playmaker on the inside. Week 1 outlook Panthers vs. Saints, 1 p.m. ET The Panthers and No. 1 overall pick in 2023 Bryce Young will be eager to show they're improved over their 2-15 record last season under the new regime. They'll have a stiff challenge against what should be a very good defense for the Saints, who badly need to start with a win as games against the Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Chiefs and Buccaneers follow. Steelers vs. Falcons, 1 p.m. ET Visiting Pittsburgh welcomes a new veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson as Cousins makes his Falcons debut. Atlanta's defense has to show that it can hold up against Wilson and 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris, who should excel in an offense coordinated by former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. Buccaneers vs. Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET Washington is starting over with former Falcons coach Dan Quinn and No. 2 overall draft choice Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from LSU, running an offense coordinated by former Cardinals head coach Kilff Kingsbury. But host Tampa will have more of an if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it approach. –Field Level Media
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Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the La Liga table, Atletico Madrid will travel to the Nuevo Los Carmenes on Monday night when they meet Granada.
Granada
Starting with the hosts, while Granada might have opened the New Year with a crucial 2-0 victory at home against Cadiz, it appears that result might have just been a minor boost for Alexander Medina s downbeat squad. Making an immediate return to losing ways last week as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis, the Nasrids find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap and open this weekend’s fixtures sat five points adrift of finding a route out of the drop zone. Collecting just 11 points from their 20 La Liga appearances this s…
Arsenal are interested in signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that the former Bayern Munich striker has a release clause of €40 million in his contract.
Premier League club Arsenal are looking for a new striker in the middle of the season due to Gabriel Jesus not scoring enough. The Brazil international striker has scored three goals and given two assists in 16 Premier League matches and has scored four goals and provided two assists in five UEFA Champions League games for the Gunners this campaign.
Zirkzee has made 18 starts and one substitute appearance in Serie A for Bologna this season. He has scored seven goals and given two assists in those games. Bologna are seventh in the Serie A table at th…
Italy have failed to secure a spot in the semi finals of the Confederations Cup 2009, suffering a painful 3-0 defeat to group winners Brazil.
Although the Italians did create chances up front, they lacked the precision Brazil did seem to have.
Luis Fabiano scored the Seleçao s first after 37 minutes and went on to add a second following a low left-winged cross in the 43rd.
And just before half time, Italy were further humiliated as a Robinho pass from the left was directed into his own goal by defender Andrea Dossena.
As the United States beat Egypt 3-0 in the other group match, the Americans finish second based on goal record. Brazil comfortably win this group and face hosts South Africa in Thursday s semi final.
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Wolfsburg launched the defence of their German league title with an impressive 2-0 win over Stuttgart on Friday, striking an early blow against a team tipped as potential successors to the crown.
The departure of title-winning coach Felix Magath to Schalke 04 showed no signs of eating into Wolfsburg s confidence as late goals from Bosnian playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic and Brazilian striker Grafite secured the points.
Grafite and Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, who grabbed 54 goals between them last season, were quickly out of the blocks on Friday against Stuttgart.
In the 19th minute, Dzeko pounced on a defensive error by Frenchman Matthieu Delpierre, but former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann turned the Bosninan s shot around the post.
Grafite was then thwar…
Italian media outlet Il Messaggero claims that Premier League outfit Middlesbrough are weighing up January bid for Lazio striker Filip Djordjevic.
The newly promoted side have largely struggled in the opening exchanges and manager Aitor Karanka is determined to recruit a high-quality centre forward in January.
Il Messaggero has learned that Boro have rekindled their interest in long-term target Filip Djordjevic, who could be made available for sale in the winter.
The Serbia international was expected to nail down a regular starting berth after Miroslav Klose had left the club, but he has failed to score a single goal in six league appearances this season.
As a result, Djordjevic has fallen behind Ciro Immobile and Balde Diao Keita in the pecking order an…
Croatia s run to their second World Cup semi-final has largely been inspired by the form of captain Luka Modric.
The Real Madrid star excelled for his club as they won a third Champions League in a row in 2017-18 and has continued to impress in Russia, helping his side to reach the last four for the first time since 1998.
The 32-year-old has been hailed by many onlookers as the best midfielder at the tournament and, consequently, the finest player in his position in the world. But is that a fair suggestion?
Using Opta data, we have compared Modric from last season and at the World Cup with four of the other leading central midfielders on the planet, all of whom play in the same multi-faceted role as the Croatia skipper: Kevin De Bruyne, Toni Kroos, Paul Pogba and…
Dundee have completed the cinch Premiership’s first signing of transfer deadline day by taking Norwich goalkeeper Jon McCracken back to Dens Park on loan.
McCracken made four appearances for Dundee at the start of the season but lost his place when Trevor Carson joined from St Mirren and both parties agreed to terminate the loan deal in August.
The 23-year-old went on to join Accrington on an emergency loan and played 13 times and now cannot play for anyone else this season other than Dundee.
With Carson missing some recent games through injury, manager Tony Docherty told his club’s website: “It is important for me to have strong competition in every position for the last part of the season and I want that with our goalkeepers and bringing Jon in gives us a…
(GSM) Guus Hiddink has been named as the new manager of Turkey.
The Dutch coach will start his new job on August 1 of this year. This was confirmed by his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen today.
Hiddink will sign a two-year contract with the Turkish Football Association on Friday.
This month it became clear that the former Chelsea coach will leave the Russia team which he coached since 2006. The 63-year-old tactician reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008 with the Russians but he failed to qualify for the World Cup finals of 2010.
Hiddink will succeed Fatih Terim at the Turkish team. Turkey failed to quailify for South Africa 2010 and qualifying for the European Championships of 2012 will be Hiddink s main target.
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Talented winger Mitchell Weiser will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season, .
The 20-year-old footballer will be out of contract at the end of the season and the latest reports suggest he will not be offered a new deal at Alianz Arena.
Despite scoring one goal in six Bundesliga appearances this term, Weiser has failed to impress coach Pep Guardiola and his staff, and it appears his short career with the Bavarians is drawing to a close.
Weiser joined Bayern from FC Koln as one of Germany s hottest prospects in the summer of 2012, but he has since amassed mere nine league appearances.
The winger has mostly played for the reserves, while scoring his only goal so far in the 6-0 hammering of Paderborn.
Chances are that clubs from German Bu…
Jose Pekerman will hope the return of star man James Rodriguez can get Colombia back to winning ways in their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign against Chile.
After an opening victory over Peru last month, Colombia slipped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Uruguay last time out a game that also saw Juan Cuadrado sent off.
James missed both of those qualifiers due to a thigh injury but returns for back-to-back fixtures this month, starting in Santiago on Thursday before they host a repeat of their Copa America quarter-final against Argentina.
The Real Madrid playmaker made his return in his club s match at Sevilla on Sunday, coming off the bench to score their second goal in a 3-2 defeat.
But while Pekerman is boosted by James comeback, he will …