NFC South power rankings: Saints set the early tone with a dominant division win

Entering each season, every team is hoping to win the Super Bowl. For that to happen, teams must make the playoffs, and the easiest way to do that is winning your respective division. Before a team can claim a league title, or be crowned a conference champion, they must navigate their four-team division.

Considering the familiarity and rivals that are usually at play in division matchups, those games are usual very tough. That wasn’t the case for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, who dominated the Carolina Panthers. The NFC South as a whole is 2-2 after one week. With two teams opening against each other, having at least one loss was likely.

Let's see how the teams stack up after their Week 1 performances.

NFC South power rankings after Week 1

4. Carolina Panthers

Unfortunately for the Panthers, this year got started how last season ended: with embarrassing football. They were blown out 47-10 against the Saints, and were down 30-0 at halftime. It didn’t seem like any of the offseason changes and investments made a difference.

Second-year quarterback Bryce Young also struggled with his accuracy, throwing two interceptions. Ultimately, it’s just one game for Carolina, but the concern level of fans should be pretty high.

3. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons, who were the preseason favorites after an explosive offseason. Nearly every analyst essentially handed the division to the Falcons, but those analysts are likely changing their tunes right now. Atlanta lost 18-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it was a pretty concerning game for the team that finished third in the NFC South a year ago.

The offense couldn’t get much going and Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions. Most concerning of all, though, is the fact that Cousins didn’t look comfortable in his return from an Achilles injury. If Atlanta continues to play like they did in Week 1, this season will be a massive disappointment.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to to win their fourth straight NFC South title, and they’re off to a great start. In Week 1, Tampa Bay defeated the Washington Commanders 37-20. Much like New Orleans against Carolina, the Bucs were facing an inferior opponent, but they took care of business like they should’ve.

Baker Mayfield completed 24-of-30 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball around to seven different pass catchers. Tampa looked like a team that’s ready to make another trip to the postseason.

1. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans was the surprise of Week 1, absolutely dominating the Panthers. The Saints delivered a performance that made all the analyst who counted them out rethink their predictions. Sure, Carolina is bad, but New Orleans looked really good.

Offensively, the team did whatever they wanted to, thriving on the ground and through the air. Defensively, the Saints had an answer for everything, taking the ball away three different times. Even the special teams showed out, blocking a punt and nearly returning another.

All in all, New Orleans looked like a complete football team that’s ready to compete, but the Saints must now be consistent. They’ll have a big test in Week 2, traveling to take on the Dallas Cowboys.

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