As the NFL season has already reached its halfway point (already?), let's take a look at what some teams have done so far in comparison to what we thought they would do.  Also, we'll take a look at some players who've been better than advertised, and some who've sucked majorly for their teams.

In this post we look at the NFC South.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Record: 5-4.  FanIQ's Preseason Pick: 7-9

The Good: Defense.  No team in the NFC is allowing fewer points per game.   Barrett Ruud has been Pro Bowl good, and the rest of those veterans like Brooks and Barber has stepped it back up.  They've also done a good job avoiding giveaways.

The Bad: The offense has been average at best.  They haven't scored very many points even though they've been fairly efficient.

The Future?: They still have two games against the Falcons, and one against the 49ers.  They SHOULD win all 3 of those.  They do decide their fate essentially since they still play the Saints and Panthers.  The other 2 games are the Redskins and Texans.  However, in those 7 games, I think they can win 5 or 4 games.  I'll say they finish the year 10-6

New Orleans Saints.  Record: 4-4.  FanIQ's Preseason Pick: 14-2

The Good: They didn't let a horrible start faze them, and they've found a way back in to contention.  Plus, no offense has allowed fewer sacks.

The Bad: They totally blew the first few games on both sides of the ball.  They've appeared to fix the offense, but the defense is still a joke.  Oh, and Olindo Mare sucks.

The Future?: Their schedule is pretty freaking easy.  Only the Buccaneers have a winning record of their final 8 opponents.  However, Carolina, at Tampa, and at Chicago aren't easy games.  However, with the remaining schedule that they have, I think they win 6 of the 8, and finish the year with a 10-6 record.

Carolina Panthers.   Record: 4-4.  FanIQ's Preseason Pick: 10-6

The Good: They haven't been terrible at really any point.

The Bad: They haven't been great at any point either.  They're pretty average at most places, except for passing offense, where they've struggled.

The Future? Their schedule is brutal.  They still have to play Dallas, Seattle, Green Bay, AND Jacksonville along with playing the Saints and Bucs again.  49ers and Falcons should be winnable, but I can't see them doing better than .500 in that stretch.  I'll say they win 3 games in the 2nd half, and finish 7-9.

Atlanta Falcons.   Record: 2-6.  FanIQ's Preseason pick: 3-13.

The Good: Somehow, they have the 2nd fewest number of giveaways in the NFL.

The Bad: Pretty much everything else.  They can't score points to save their lives.

The Future?: They can probably beat the Rams, but of their remaining 8 games, the only other game that seems remotely winnable is the Cardinals.  I think they beat the Rams, and that's it, and finish 3-13.

How do you believe the NFC South will turn out?

NFC East is the next to come.