As the team perhaps most affected by the punishments the NFL's handed the New Orleans Saints (besides, you know, the Saints), the Atlanta Falcons are in decent position to make a run for the NFC South title this year. Not that they wouldn't be otherwise, of course, and not that the other two teams aren't also capable. So diplomatic!
Bovada.lv has adjusted its NFC South Super Bowl odds accordingly, in light of Sean Payton's suspension for the year:
Saints Super Bowl odds drop from 10/1 to 12/1. Panthers move from 40/1 to 30/1. Falcons move 28/1 to 25/1 per Bovada.
— Will Brinson (@willbrinson) March 21, 2012
This is all before we find out whether Jonathan Vilma and other players will also miss games. If so, those numbers will draw closer and closer together. Kind of amazing to think the Saints could still be a Super Bowl favorite even without Payton, but they still have Drew Brees (for the time being!), a home field advantage that's going to be on absolute frantic tilt this year, and a horrifying suite of offensive firepower.
Stay right here for more coverage of the Saints' punishment by the NFL.