NFC South power rankings: Falcons start division play with close win over Saints

Another week is in the books for the NFC South, and after four games, it still remains a competitive division. The best record in the division is 3-1, two teams are 2-2, and the worst record is 1-3. With a ton of football left to be played, including a lot of divisional games, this race is wide open.

In Week 4, the NFC South had one head-to-head matchup, as well as a common opponent game. That made way for easy comparisons, as we see how the teams stack up against each other.

NFC South power rankings after Week 4

4. Carolina Panthers

Previous ranking: 4

After a big Week 3 win following a quarterback change, the Carolina Panthers went back to their norm of losing. Facing off against a Cincinnati Bengals team in desperate need of a win, Carolina fell 34-24. While the Bengals controlled the game from start to finish, the Panthers were able to move the ball on the ground and through the air, and put up 24 points. That’s promising.

3. New Orleans Saints

Previous ranking: 1

After two straight losses, the New Orleans Saints find themselves at a spot other than No. 1 for the first time this season. The most frustrating part for the Saints is they could’ve won both games. In Week 4, against a rival, New Orleans made several mind-boggling mistakes that snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Beyond the costly mistakes, the Saints are beat up and falling apart. They’ve shown the potential to be a really good team, but you have to wonder if they’ll be able to stay healthy enough to stack enough wins.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Previous ranking: 2

Honestly, the Atlanta Falcons only remain at No. 2 because the Week 4 scoreboard ended in their favor. Any unbiased person watching the game between Atlanta and the Saints will admit New Orleans was the better team on the field on Sunday. The game was much more about the Saints losing it than it was Atlanta winning it.

But, to the Falcons’ credit, they avoided making similarly bad decisions to New Orleans, while also capitalizing on the Saints’ mistakes. Even if they were outplayed in many facets of the game, they did what was necessary to escape with a win, and that’s all that matters.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous ranking: 3

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bounced back in a big way in Week 4. After losing to the Denver Broncos 26-7 in Week 3, the Bucs came back and dominated the Philadelphia Eagles, winning 33-16. At one point in the game, Tampa Bay was up 24-0.

The Bucs now sit atop the division with a 3-1 record, and look good in every aspect. They can run the ball and pass the ball, and they’re playing good defense. After winning the NFC South the last three years, Tampa Bay is proving its still the team to beat in the division.

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