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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Female football supporters from Wales’ South Asian communities will watch the national team play for the first time on Friday through a new initiative designed to create a more diverse fan base.
The sold-out signs are set to go up for Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifier with Armenia at the Cardiff City Stadium with Rob Page’s side hoping to take another step towards next summer’s finals in Germany.
Among the 33,000-plus capacity crowd will be women benefiting from a partnership between Her Game Too Cymru, Amar Cymru – the group launched in 2020 to give the South Asian community a voice in the national team – and the Football Association of Wales.
We’re working with to take South Asian female fans to their first game!
Join us at Cardiff City Stadium…
With Europe s elite once again taking center stage this weekend, we look set for another stacked schedule from across the continent. On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a Saturday acca, we have found a handful of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.
Saturday February 11th
BST 14:00 Empoli vs Spezia
Although Empoli might have been disappointed by their 2-0 loss away at Roma last weekend, the Blues have still impressed many across Italy on either side of the World Cup break. With their sights now firmly set on clinching a shock top-half finish in 2023, Saturday s hosts should be smelling the chance to make an immediate return to winning ways here. Only sat outside the top-10 thanks to their goal difference, Paolo Zanetti s men have suffere…
Alvaro Morata will spend another season with Juventus after the Serie A giants extended his loan until June 30, 2022.
The striker has agreed to stay in Turin, where he spent 2020-21 on loan from Atletico Madrid.
Morata scored 20 goals in all competitions last season, his best tally for a single campaign in his career, while also providing 11 assists.
Juve said in a statement on Tuesday: It goes without saying, Morata is in the right place, at the right time. And, of course, for another year!
Morata spent two years at Juve from 2014 to 2016 before returning to Real Madrid for the 2016-17 season.
After a difficult spell at Chelsea, he moved to Atletico initially on loan in 2019 before signing a permanent deal a year later.
In total, Morata …
Jack Grealish is unlikely to be fit for England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium later this month, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said.
The City midfielder suffered a recurrence of a recent groin injury in the club’s FA Cup win at Luton on Tuesday.
Grealish was substituted after just 38 minutes of the 6-2 victory at Kenilworth Road, cutting short what had been his first appearance in four games.
He has been ruled out of Sunday’s derby against Manchester United in the Premier League and Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday he was unlikely to play again before the next international break.
Guardiola said: “I don’t think so. I haven’t spoken with (England manager) Gareth (Southgate) but I don’t think he will be ready…
Bruce Arena is satisfied with New England Revolution s start to the season, though warned the opening four games of a campaign cannot be used to judge how his team will go on to perform.
The Revolution won MLS Supporters Shield in 2021 yet struggled last season, finishing 10th in the Eastern Conference.
New England have started this season strongly, however, winning three of their opening four games, albeit their sole defeat came in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of reigning MLS Cup champions Los Angeles FC.
A 1-0 win over Nashville SC saw New England return to winning ways last week, and though Arena was not entirely happy with the performance, he cannot complain over his team s start to 2023.
In the last 10 minutes we didn t do a good job defending the l…
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Knowing that they must pounce on a golden chance this weekend, Scotland will welcome Moldova to Hampden on Saturday night.
Scotland
Starting with the hosts, while Scotland might have managed to end their major tournament exile over the summer, the Tartan Army do have the feel of a side seeking a boost. Failing to make much of a mark at this year s delayed European Championships, Head Coach Steve Clarke saw his side only snatch a single point from their three summer contests. Signing off their run with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Croatia at Hampden, a 0-0 stalemate against British rivals England was the only impact they managed to make. Largely failing to build off of their eye-catching purple patch when ending 2020, Scotland once ag…
Tottenham’s record goal-scorer Harry Kane has landed in Germany to complete his move to Bayern Munich in a deal that could rise to £120million.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed on Friday afternoon that Kane’s transfer to the Bundesliga champions was “imminent” after a breakthrough in negotiations between the clubs was reached on Wednesday night.
It left the ball in Kane’s court and he decided on Thursday to leave his boyhood club for Bayern, who will pay an initial £100m, with add-ons potentially taking the deal up to an overall fee of £120m, the PA news agency understands.
Reports on Friday morning initially suggested Spurs had refused to give Kane permission to travel to Germany, but they were squashed by Tottenham and hours later he set of…
Hibernian are looking for what will be their sixth manager in less than five years after sacking Lee Johnson.
Hibs confirmed Johnson had departed less than 24 hours after a 3-2 home defeat by Livingston meant they had lost their opening three cinch Premiership matches.
Chief executive Ben Kensell said on the Hibernian website: “The club has taken the tough decision to relieve Lee Johnson of his duties following a disappointing start to the domestic campaign.
“We wish Lee and his coaching staff all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts.”
Hibs confirmed that coaches Jamie McAllister and Adam Owen had also left with immediate effect.
Hibernian FC can confirm that that Lee Johnson has departed the Club as First Team Manager.
For one of England s grandest rivalries, matches between Manchester United and Liverpool have been pretty drab recently.
When these two met last season at Old Trafford, it was a game notable for a remarkable number of injuries three players went off before half-time and almost no goalscoring chances.
The two league meetings hosted by United before that ended 2-1 and 1-1, neither of which were classic encounters, while the 3-1 win for Liverpool at Anfield last December ended a sequence of 0-1, 0-0 and 0-0 in league games at Anfield.
Sunday s game also threatens to be something of a damp squib given Liverpool s imperious habit of winning and United s wretched inability to create goalscoring chances.
With that in mind, it s perhaps worth looking back at six …
Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane agree England s loss to the Czech Republic was a wake-up call for the Three Lions.
England s perfect record in Euro 2020 qualifying ended in Prague on Friday despite Kane s early penalty putting Southgate s side ahead.
Defender Jakub Brabec equalised within five minutes then, in the closing stages at Eden Arena, substitute striker Zdenek Ondrasek hit the winner on his international debut.
England would have qualified for the finals had they won but are now joined on 12 points at the top of the group by the Czech Republic.
Qualification can still be sealed on Monday when England go to Bulgaria with Southgate demanding a response from the Three Lions after their first qualifying defeat for 10 years.
In terms of a w…