When I think of the NFL Schedule, I think of a Rubix Cube. So much goes into the planning of the schedules, and we all had an eager feeling when the schedule was actually released in April. The Saints will match up against the NFC South & AFC East this season. The Saints last played the NFC West in 2010, and the AFC East in 2009. It’s time to have a little fun, as I rank (and nickname) the Saints 2013 matchups from #16 to #1.

May 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) leaves the field following organized team activities at the Saints training facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Who is the best quarterback in the NFC South? Is it the Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan? Or is it Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints? What about Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers and Josh Freeman of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

It’s safe to say the NFC South has one of the most interesting lists of names at the position in the NFL today. Brees has broken records, Ryan continues to improve and both Freeman and Newton have the potential to be something special.

Let’s take a look at how we would rank the crop of NFC South quarterbacks.

1. Drew Brees

May 23, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during organized team activities at the Saints training facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Were you expecting anyone else? Brees is a guy on his way to the Hall-of-Fame, has won a Super Bowl and shattered countless records. He’s a major reason as to why the NFL has transitioned to more of a passing league thanks to the exceptional numbers he puts up each season.

Brees is the definition of a franchise player, whether it’s character, locker room presence or play on the field. There’s no point in rehashing his well-known stats, but it’s safe to say Brees is a player on his way to Canton. As far as the 2013 season goes, there is no reason to believe his play will take a dip.

Brees is the best quarterback in the NFC South, at least for now.

2. Matt Ryan

May 29, 2013; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during organized team activities at the Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Nipping at the heels of Brees is Ryan, who has continued to improve over the course of his five seasons with the Falcons. He’s not playing at an MVP level yet and continues to struggle in the playoffs, but it’s safe to say if the trend continues he’s well on his way to being one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.

Last year along, Ryan threw for over 4,700 yards with a 32-14 touchdown to interception ratio. Ryan certainly benefits from playing with the likes of Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez, but his game is a product of his outstanding skill set more than anything.

When Brees calls it quits, Ryan will inherit the mantle as the best quarterback in the NFC South. That is, unless one of the following guys can take major strides in development over the next few years.

3. Cam Newton

May 30, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton throws a pass at the practice held at the Carolina Panthers practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

We’re going to take some heat for this one.

Just hear us out. Right now if you were to pick a starting quarterback to roll with for the next two or three seasons, you would be insane to not take Newton over Freeman. Newton is a dual-threat quarterback with untapped potential who could develop into one of the NFL’s best. We’re not sure if we can say the same about Freeman after four years.

Newton had a slump last year but still put up over 3,800 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air. He added another 741 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Newton also had a higher completion percentage (57.7) than Freeman (54.8).

That was in a slump. We’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg with Newton, and as the franchise (potentially) continues to improve, so should he. If there’s a darkhorse to become the best quarterback in the NFC South, it’s Cam Newton.

4. Josh Freeman

December 23, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) calls a play against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. St. Louis Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Someone has to be the odd man out in a division absolutely stacked with quarterback talent. That man would be Freeman in Tampa Bay.

Freeman actually had the best year of his career last season as he threw for over 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. Yet, the front office thought it wise to add a promising rookie quarterback in the third round of this year’s draft with Mike Glennon.

There may be a reason for that.

Freeman is in a contract year and has more than enough weapons to take the Bucs places. Whether he does or not could decide whether he is higher up on this list next season, not to mention whether he is even playing in the NFC South.

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Dec 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) carries against Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) during first quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

As we have touched on in the past, the New Orleans Saints are right on par with the Atlanta Falcons as far as the chase for the NFC South Championship goes in 2013. That being said, the Saints are far superior to both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers in 2013.

Of course, we can’t just make these claims without backing them up. Saints fans know exactly why we feel the way we do in regards to the potential of the New Orleans roster next year. Drew Brees is still the quarterback, so the offense will be fine. A re-tooled defense under the guidance of one of the NFL’s best defensive minds in Rob Ryan means the unit can’t be any worse than last year’s, which was the worst statistical unit in NFL history.

With those brief thoughts in mind, let’s take a look at the Buccaneers and Panthers.

Carolina Panthers 

Dec 22, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown as wide receiver Louis Murphy (83) looks on in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to bash the Panthers too much going into next season considering the horrific financial hand the franchise was dealt. The Panthers front office did knock the 2013 NFL draft out of the park by addressing its biggest need, which was at defensive tackle.

Speaking of the defense, the unit may be much better next season than most realize. Rookie Star Lotulelei and Kawaan Short will free up star linebackers such as Luke Kuechly to make play. It will also give stellar defensive ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy even more room to get to the quarterback. Unfortunately, that’s the end of the positives as the secondary remains a mess.

Offensively the Panthers are hard to gauge. Cam Newton hit a serious slump last year. How he responds will decide the team’s fate.

All in all, Carolina is still a few years out from being competitive. The pieces are certainly in place, but New Orleans has an advantage on them at this moment.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

December 23, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) drops back against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. St. Louis Rams defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

If there’s one team that could surprise the Saints this year, it’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In fact, it may be questionable at this point to even say the Saints are “miles” ahead of the Bucs, but it all comes down to one thing—quarterback play.

Look at it this way. If the Bucs were confident with incumbent starter Josh Freeman the team probably wouldn’t have selected Mike Glennon in the third round. He’s competition whether folks want to admit it or not. The Bucs can be an offensive juggernaut thanks to running back Doug Martin and receiver Vincent Jackson, but not without a quarterback.

Defense is where the Bucs will win games. As you’ve probably heard, the team has a new cornerback in Darrelle Reivs. His healthy and play will determine just how good the unit can be with rookie Johnthan Banks needing groomed. The secondary is boosted by one of the best safety tandems in the NFL in Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson.

Tampa Bay could surprise, but there are still too many question marks to say they are close to the Saints level at this point in time. Only the 2013 season will prove otherwise.

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