NFC South power rankings: Falcons plummet as the division race opens up

The NFC South is a mess. Last season, the best record in the division was 9-8. 13 weeks into this season, it looks like the division will have another mediocre winner. Currently, the two teams leading the division are 6-6, but it’s unclear what to expect from any of the four teams on a given game day.

That was once again evident in Week 13, with the NFC South going 1-3. The lone win came in an overtime win in a divisional matchup. Let’s take a look at how those results shook up the power rankings.

NFC South power rankings after Week 13

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)

Previous ranking: 3

The Atlanta Falcons may still be No. 1 in the division standings but they have been the worst team in the division the last month. The Falcons have lost three straight games, dropping them to 6-6, and beyond the outcomes, they look horrible.

On Sunday, Atlanta lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 17-13. In that game, Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions— really bad, indefensible interceptions. The rhythm this team had a month ago is gone, and if the Falcons can’t recapture it, their lead in the division will be gone too.

3. Carolina Panthers (3-9)

Previous ranking: 4

The Carolina Panthers aren’t winning games, but it’s safe to say their fans are having as much fun as they’ve had in years. That’s because this is a completely different team. After taking the Kansas City Chiefs to the wire in Week 12, Carolina came back and had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the ropes in Week 13. An overtime fumble gave away what should’ve been a win, but Carolina is certainly improving.

While the loss was no fun in the moment, it could ultimately be best-case scenario for the Panthers. The team is playing better, Bryce Young looks great, but the franchise could still end up with a high draft pick.

2. New Orleans Saints (4-8)

Previous ranking: 2

The New Orleans Saints had the chance to go 3-0 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, but they messed it up, losing 21-14 to the Los Angeles Rams. New Orleans did a lot of bad things throughout the game, but they still had a chance to win.

Now, the team sits at 4-8, with five games left, and the roster is still falling apart every week. With Taysom Hill sidelined for the rest of the year with an ACL injury, the season is effectively over, for real this time.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

Previous ranking: 1

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know how to hang around and do just enough; that applies in games and in division races. The Bucs should have lost on Sunday, but somehow, they found a way to make one more play than the Panthers. It was a big play, because now Tampa Bay is 6-6, tied with Atlanta for the division lead.

The Falcons do have the tiebreaker over the Bucs, but with how Atlanta has looked in recent weeks, the Buccaneers have to believe they can catch the Falcons and win their fourth straight NFC South crown.

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