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NFC South power rankings: Falcons make a statement as everyone else struggles

Through eight weeks of the NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the NFC South.

By Jaleel Grandberry

Atlanta Falcons v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons v Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages
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Eight weeks into the 2024 season, and it’s looking like all of the analysts may have been right about the NFC South. The division is bad, with two of the worst teams in the league holding it down, and the Atlanta Falcons are the best team in the division.

During the offseason, that’s how everyone predicted things would play out. Atlanta was aggressive, making several moves to acquire key veterans, and people assumed it would pay off. It took some time for things to shake out like that, but nearly at the halfway point of the season, that’s now the case.

NFC South power rankings after Week 8

4. Carolina Panthers (1-7)

Previous ranking: 4

Second-year quarterback Bryce Young was back in the starting lineup after Andy Dalton sustained an injury in a car accident. Young had some promising moments in the game, but in the end, it was just another Carolina Panthers game, as they lost 28-14 to the Denver Broncos.

3. New Orleans Saints (2-6)

Previous ranking: 3

The New Orleans Saints are lucky they share a division with arguably the worst team in the league; that’s the only thing keeping them from the bottom of the NFC South. The Saints lost their sixth straight game on Sunday, falling to the Los Angeles Chargers 26-8.

New Orleans is hoping to get Derek Carr back in Week 9 for a matchup against Carolina, and the team is hoping this can turn the season around.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)

Previous ranking: 2

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the division the last three years, but there seems to be a new sheriff in town. The Bucs have played the Falcons twice in the last four weeks, and lost both games by one score.

Now, Tampa Bay is essentially two games behind the Falcons since Atlanta has the tiebreaker.

1. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

Previous ranking: 1

The Falcons have rounded into form, winning four of their last five games. The offense is looking better every game, and it’s clear they still have room for improvement. Already in the driver seat for the NFC South, Atlanta could speed away with the division crown in the second half of the season.

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