NFC South power rankings: Panthers find their footing while everyone else stumbles
The second you think you know what’s going on in the NFL, the league will quickly remind you have no idea. From week to week, there’s no telling what will happen, how teams will play, and who will win. That was best exemplified by the NFC South in Week 3.
What many considered as the worst division in the NFL entering the season, the NFC South has had a surprisingly hot start to the season— except of the Carolina Panthers. However, in Week 3, Carolina was the only team from the division that won, and no one saw that coming.
With this confusing week now complete for the division, let’s take a look at the hierarchy of the group.
NFC South power rankings after Week 3
4. Carolina Panthers
Previous ranking: 4
Carolina undoubtedly had the best performance of the week, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22. The quarterback change actually made a difference as the veteran Andy Dalton completed 26-of-37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Carolina also ran the ball 31 times for 131 yards and a touchdown.
The Panthers looked like a completely different team, but it’s going to take more than one game against the rebuilding Raiders to completely change their narrative. They’re still a 1-2 football team with two ugly losses. If they can repeat their Week 3 performance, they could move up this ranking.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Previous ranking: 2
The Tampa Buccaneers had been the second-best team in the division this season and everyone expected them to continue to shine against the winless Denver Broncos in Week 3. Instead, Tampa Bay dropped a stinker, giving the Broncos their first win 26-7.
The Bucs are still tied for the best record in the divsion, but because of how they looked against the Broncos, of all teams, they deserve to drop a spot in this week’s ranking.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Previous ranking: 3
The Atlanta Falcons have just one win on the season, and it’s really a win the Philadelphia Eagles handed to them. However, it’s clear the Falcons are rounding into form, and starting to look like the team people imagined they could be when they acquired Kirk Cousins and other talented players this offseason.
On Sunday night, Atlanta took the Kansas City Chiefs down to the wire, losing 22-17. Moral victories aren’t worth anything in the NFL, but the Falcons certainly had a more impressive loss than the Buccaneers.
1. New Orleans Saints
Previous ranking: 1
The New Orleans Saints sustained their first loss of the season, but the game didn’t undo what New Orleans accomplished in the first two weeks. Losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 15-12, the Saints offense looked like a completely different unit, and the defense couldn’t get stops when they needed to.
The Eagles are a good team, but New Orleans also showed it’s fair share of concerns. To keep fans from panicking, the Saints must prove Week 3 was the fluke, and not the first two weeks of the season. Their first opportunity to prove that will come in Week 4 against the Falcons.
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