Saints to have an uphill battle on the road to repeat a division title

The New Orleans Saints have won the NFC South each of the past four seasons, the longest streak in the history of the division. For the first time in the past fourteen years, the Saints will have a new quarterback at the helm. New Orleans will be looking for its eighth division title, and their current tally of seven is the most of the four division teams (the Carolina Panthers are second, with five), but now the Saints will hope to do with with Jameis Winston at quarterback.

For these reasons, CBS Sports ranked the New Orleans Saints as the fourth-most likely division champion from 2020 not to repeat in 2021:

This might seem early for the Saints, considering Sean Payton has the longest active division-title streak behind Andy Reid. And frankly, the transition from Drew Brees to Jameis Winston may not be nearly as bumpy as some expect. You’re talking about two different styles of QB — Brees long excelling as an efficiency machine and Winston flashing as a big-play arm. But would anyone be stunned if the latter dropped 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns this year? You can win with that. The trouble arises when you consider the reigning champion Buccaneers should be formidable again, while the Falcons should also be improved.

If the Saints want to repeat in 2021, they will have a tough road ahead of them. They will face 5 of the remaining 7 division winners from 2020, as well as the reigning Super Bowl Champions twice in 2021.

Add in a transition at quarterback and a roster that lost multiple key players on both sides of the ball and if the 2021 Saints win another division crown, no one will say they did so easily.

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