On this special edition of **The Underdog NFL Show**, Chris Horwedel continues his 2026 NFL division preview series with a full breakdown of the NFC South. After previously covering the NFC East and NFC North, Chris turns to one of football’s most unpredictable divisions, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons all enter the season with real questions and possible paths to the top.

The episode looks at every NFC South team’s offseason moves, free-agent additions, trades, draft class, roster strengths, quarterback situation, division odds, Super Bowl odds, NFC Championship odds, finishing-position markets, and exact-order betting options from oddsmakers.

Chris begins with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who enter as the division favorite despite losing franchise icon Mike Evans to San Francisco. He breaks down Baker Mayfield’s stability, the additions of Kenneth Gainwell and Cade Otton, Tampa Bay’s defensive reinforcements, and a defense-heavy draft led by Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.

Next, the defending division champion Carolina Panthers get the spotlight. Chris discusses Bryce Young’s development, the importance of improved pass protection, major defensive additions Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, the Panthers’ investment in the offensive line with Monroe Freeling, and why Carolina may be more dangerous than the market suggests.

The New Orleans Saints section focuses on Tyler Shough, Chris Olave, Travis Etienne, Jordyn Tyson, Noah Fant, Tyree Wilson, Cam Jordan’s final season, and whether New Orleans added enough offensive firepower to climb back into contention.

Finally, Chris examines the Atlanta Falcons, including the unusual Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa quarterback setup, Drake London’s massive extension, Kyle Pitts’ uncertain future, Atlanta’s pass rush, Avieon Terrell, Zachariah Branch, Harold Perkins Jr., and the team’s wide range of possible outcomes.

Chris closes with his NFC South prediction: Tampa Bay first, Carolina second, New Orleans third, and Atlanta fourth, while highlighting Tampa-Carolina as his favorite order-based betting angle.

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0:12 – Chris Horwedel opens a solo Underdog NFL Show by explaining the division finishing-position series and setting up a full NFC North preview using offseason moves, draft results, division odds, and Super Bowl odds from oddsmakers.

1:21 – NFC North market overview covers the Lions, Packers, Bears, and Vikings, with Detroit positioned as the early division favorite and Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota each carrying very different expectations entering the 2026 NFL season.

2:28 – Chicago Bears offseason recap focuses on Ben Johnson’s offensive line rebuild, including Jedrick Wills, Garrett Bradbury, Braxton Jones, Jordan McFadden, plus defensive additions like Neville Gallimore, Devin Bush, Kobe Bryant, and multiple linebacker depth moves.

5:14 – Bears draft breakdown highlights Oregon safety Dylan Thieneman, Iowa center Logan Jones, Stanford tight end Sam Roush, LSU wide receiver Xavier Thomas, Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad, and why Chicago looks improved but still hard to place in a deep NFC North.

8:24 – Detroit Lions offseason review covers Teddy Bridgewater, Isaiah Pacheco, Greg Dortch, Tyler Conklin, Cade Mays, Juice Scruggs, DJ Wonnum, Jack Campbell’s major extension, Roger McCreary, Avonte Maddox, and Detroit’s attempt to reload after a slight step back.

10:54 – Lions draft analysis centers on Blake Miller as the new offensive tackle addition, Michigan edge Derek Moore as a strong complement to Aidan Hutchinson, plus Jimmy Rolder, Keith Abney, Kendrick Law, Skylar Gill-Howard, and Tyree West.

11:59 – Detroit’s division finishing odds are reviewed, with Chris explaining why the Lions look like the safest NFC North team and why their roster still profiles as a serious NFC contender.

12:41 – Green Bay Packers offseason discussion includes Tyrod Taylor, Skyy Moore, Sean Rhyan’s extension, Javon Hargrave, Zaire Franklin, Benjamin St-Juste, and a quieter approach compared with other NFC North teams.

14:00 – Packers draft recap features South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse, Missouri defensive tackle Chris McLennan, Penn State edge Dani Dennis-Sutton, Kentucky center Jager Burton, Alabama corner Damani Jackson, and Florida kicker Trace Mack.

15:10 – Minnesota Vikings offseason outlook starts with Kyler Murray arriving on a one-year deal, Carson Wentz returning, Aaron Jones restructuring, Jauan Jennings joining the receiver room, and key depth moves at linebacker, cornerback, punter, and long snapper.

17:39 – Vikings draft breakdown covers Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks as a surprising first-round pick, Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday, Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange, Northwestern tackle Caleb Tiernan, Miami safety Jacoby Thomas, and later depth additions.

19:19 – Full NFC North finishing-position odds are compared, including exact-order markets and how oddsmakers view Lions-Packers, Lions-Bears, and Packers-Bears outcomes in one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions.

20:39 – Super Bowl odds close the episode, with Chris comparing the Lions, Packers, Bears, and Vikings nationally before wrapping up the NFC North preview and teasing future division breakdowns.

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0:13 – Chris Horwedel opens a special solo edition of The Underdog NFL Show focused entirely on projecting NFC East division finishes, offseason moves, draft classes, and betting odds from oddsmakers heading into the 2026 NFL season.

1:26 – Dallas Cowboys offseason breakdown covers Sam Howell, Javonte Williams, George Pickens, Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and Brandon Aubrey extensions, plus why the Cowboys’ roster improvements should concern the rest of the NFC East.

5:38 – Cowboys draft analysis highlights Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, Jayshon Barham, Drew Shelton, Devin Moore, LT Overton, and why Dallas may have landed one of the strongest defensive draft hauls in the NFL.

7:46 – New York Giants discussion begins with John Harbaugh’s arrival, major culture changes, free-agent additions like Patrick Ricard, Isaiah Likely, DJ Reader, Tremaine Edmunds, Greg Newsome, and why the Giants could become one of the NFL’s biggest surprise teams.

11:17 – Giants draft breakdown focuses on Arvell Reese, Francis Mauigoa, Colton Hood, and Malachi Fields, including why Reese may have the highest defensive upside in the entire draft class.

13:53 – Philadelphia Eagles offseason recap covers Andy Dalton, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dontayvion Wicks, Dallas Goedert’s return, Johnny Mundt, Jonathan Greenard, Tariq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, and roster reshaping after another deep playoff run.

17:42 – Eagles draft analysis centers on Makai Lemon as the potential long-term A.J. Brown replacement, Eli Stowers, Markel Bell’s upside, Cole Payton’s developmental value, and the fascinating International Pathway Program pick of Nigerian defensive tackle Uar Bernard.

21:25 – Washington Commanders offseason moves include Marcus Mariota, Jerome Ford, Rachaad White, Chig Okonkwo, Laremy Tunsil, Odafe Oweh, Leo Chenal, and a complete rebuild of the offensive line and defense around Jayden Daniels.

24:30 – Commanders draft discussion highlights Sonny Styles’ elite athleticism, Antonio Williams, Joshua Josephs, Kaytron Allen, and why Washington may have landed one of the steals of the first round.

26:12 – Chris closes the episode by comparing division winner odds, projected finishes, NFC East win totals, and why he believes the Giants are massively undervalued heading into the 2026 season.

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