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BY IRA KAUFMAN

One ugly streak down, one to go.

The Bucs ended that 12-year playoff drought in style last season, but another embarrassing streak has to hit the road in 2021. Yes, a franchise that once owned the NFC South is seeking its first division crown since 2007.

And if the Bucs don’t replace New Orleans atop the division, shame on them. Barring a slew of injuries that decimates the depth chart, Tampa Bay will have no credible excuses for coming up short in the division race for a 14th consecutive year.

It’s been a loooong time since the Bucs won the NFC South

Yes, it’s been awhile.

When the Bucs won the NFC South in 2007 under Jon Gruden, it marked their third division crown in six years since NFL realignment. At that point, no one could have predicted Gruden, Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano, Lovie Smith, Dirk Koetter and Bruce Arians would fail to climb to the top rung in the ensuing 13 seasons.

This division is suddenly there for the taking and the Bucs need to pounce.

The young Panthers are rebuilding and the talent-strapped Falcons are trying to be relevant while the Saints are marching toward mediocrity.

Meanwhile, the Bucs return every starter from a championship team and enter next week’s season opener in splendid health. Is a division title too much to ask?

Of course not.

Overmatched

Should Sean Payton pull off a fifth consecutive division title this fall, led by a mistake-prone quarterback Bruce Arians failed to turn around, he’d add significantly to a potential Hall of Fame legacy.

Besides dealing with the ravages of Hurricane Ida, Payton starts a season without Canton-bound quarterback Drew Brees.

A money squeeze triggered significant departures as Emmanuel Sanders, Jared Cook, Trey Hendrickson and Janoris Jenkins waved goodbye to The Big Easy. Patrick Robinson retired, leaving the Saints very thin at cornerback.

Michael Thomas won’t be back until October and an outstanding kicking game is now questionable with Will Lutz recovering from core muscle surgery and punter Thomas Morstead waived in March.

At least Jameis Winston can rely on Mr. Versatility, Alvin Kamara, to move the chains. But Winston isn’t throwing to the likes of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin anymore.

Although the Saints were 8-1 without Brees in the past two seasons, his leadership will be sorely missed.

“Sean and his staff will adjust accordingly,” says GM Mickey Loomis. “I think they’ve been fantastic doing that over the years.”

It’s foolish to dismiss a franchise that has gone 49-15 since 2017, but let’s be real: Tampa Bay’s roster is far superior in both talent and depth.

Do you think Antonio Brown would be listed as Winston’s No. 3 option at wide receiver?

As good as Kamara is, Payton must be careful not to wear him out. An aggressive defense may have to carry the day.

“That’s our goal — to be the best,” says linebacker Demario Davis. “We’re gonna go for it, and we need to. That’s our mentality now, which is a little bit different than when I came in. It [used to be] like, ‘Let us get one or two more stops, and our offense will come in and bring it home.’”

Critical error in Atlanta, writes Ira Kaufman.

The Falcons could have jettisoned their 36-year-old quarterback in the offseason, but owner Arthur Blank foolishly decided to give it one more shot with Matty Ice. That was a huge mistake because Atlanta isn’t good enough to compete with the big guys.

The protection in front of Ryan is shaky and new head coach Arthur Smith is looking for some dynamic pass rushers after no Falcon managed as many as five sacks in 2020.

Calvin Ridley is a fine target, but he’s now a marked man following the departure of Julio Jones. Perhaps rookie TE Kyle Pitts can stir up some excitement for a moribund franchise.

Sam Darnold gets a second chance in Charlotte after leaving the Jets with a 13-25 record.

A healthy Christian McCaffrey would help immensely, but the Panthers can’t stop anybody. Opponents averaged 4.7 yards per carry against Carolina, which allowed a 49 percent conversion rate on third down and registered only seven interceptions.

The Bucs find themselves heavy favorites to win the NFC South – for good reason.

They have the best quarterback, the best targets, the best pass rush, the best linebackers and the best secondary.

Enough said.

It’s been 14 years since an NFC South flag hung at One Buc Place.

Beating the Saints in the divisional round was a nice start.

It’s time to finish them off.

Sage Ira Kaufman drives a 2020 Ford Escape, cherry red, from Bill Currie Ford. Ira loves that ride as much as he adores tater tots. Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com and demand the Ira Kaufman discount.