There are only three weeks left in the 2024 NFL regular season, and the order of the NFC South is seemingly set. It’s been a roller coaster year for the division, with every team having highs and lows, but as the regular season nears an end, every teams’ true colors have emerged.
In a nutshell, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are once again the best team in the division, the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers have a lot of work to do to become contenders, and the Atlanta Falcons are frauds. Let’s get more specific on each team in this week’s power rankings.
NFC South power rankings after Week 15
4. Carolina Panthers (3-11)
Previous ranking: 3
After five weeks of impressive performances, the Panthers entered their Week 15 game against the Dallas Cowboys as favorites for the first time in two years. Unfortunately, that led to a let down, as Carolina lost 30-14. Still, the Panthers have made significant strides this season, despite their 3-11 record, and they’ll enter the offseason with optimism and a high draft pick.
3. Atlanta Falcons (7-7)
Previous ranking: 4
The Falcons finally ended their four-game losing streak, and Kirk Cousins finally threw a touchdown. However, no Atlanta fan left the Monday Night Football game feeling good. Simply put, the Falcons looked horrible, even in a win. Facing a two-win Las Vegas Raiders team, whose fans were cheering for them to lose so they can draft Shedeur Sanders, Atlanta only won 15-9.
With three games left in the regular seson, it doesn’t seem like the Falcons will catch the Bucs for the top spot of the division, so they’ll try sneaking into the playoffs in a wild card spot. If they somehow make it, they won’t go far playing how they’ve been playing.
2. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
Previous ranking: 2
The New Orleans Saints looked horrible in the first half of their Week 15 game against the Washington Commanders. Early in the third quarter, the Saints trailed 17-0. That’s when the team decided to put in Spencer Rattler, and that decision changed the game.
Rattler led a furious comeback attempt, with the team coming up short on a two-point attempt that would’ve won the game. Losing 20-19 and moving to 5-9, this season hasn’t been good for the Saints, and they’ll have to make a lot of decisions in the offseason.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
Previous ranking: 1
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been resilient this season, overcoming some key injuries. As of late, they’ve been showing why they’ve won the NFC South the last three seasons. The Bucs are currently on a four-game winning streak, and with the the current state of the Falcons, Tampa Bay is unlikely to be caught.
That means the team is en route to the playoffs and a fourth straight NFC South crown.